National Conference Call Transcript: Sharmba Mitchell, Ben Tackie, Jeff Lacy, Anwar Oshana

Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime

08.05 - Former World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 2 contender, Sharmba Mitchell, will take on hard-hitting IBF No. 9 contender Ben Tackie, Saturday, May 17 on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. The winner of the IBF elimination bout will claim the No. 1 spot in the 140-pound rankings. In the co-feature, unbeaten Jeff Lacy will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas and United States Boxing Association (USBA) super middleweight titles against former Illinois State 168-pound titleholder Anwar Oshana. SHOWTIME will televise the 12-round bouts at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT from the City Center Pavilion in Reno, Nevada. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Budweiser, Circus Circus, the El Dorado, Harrah's and Silver Legacy Casino, will promote the event.

Question: Could all of the fighters make an opening comment?

Mitchell: I would like to thank SHOWTIME for letting me fight on this card. For some reason, they keep bringing me back to fight. I guess the fans like to see me fight.

Tackie: I am in shape. I am ready for the fight. When I get in the ring, whatever happens is going to happen.

Lacy: I am training hard, and I am in terrific shape. I will be ready to fight come Saturday night. It is going to be a great night of fighting.

Oshana: I have been training hard. I am ready to go to war for 12 rounds. This is a big opportunity for me. Lacy better not be looking past me.

Question: Ben, why are you taking such a tough fight right after such a difficult fight against Kostya Tszyu?

Tackie: In order to be a champion, you have to fight the tough guys. I have no fear. I want to fight Mitchell.

Question: Sharmba and Ben, what did you learn about each other from your opponents' fights against Tszyu?

Mitchell: I looked at the fight and thought Tszyu was a world beater. Every fighter is different. I do not know that I can say Tszyu looked better or faster against Tackie than he did against me. Against me, it was a whole different story. It was two different fights and two different styles. Tackie stood there in front of Tszyu with no defense. He did not really move. He did what Tackie does.

Tackie: I learned something from both of them. I think I can handle Mitchell's style with no problem at all.

Question: Ben, what is your strategy going to be against Mitchell?

Tackie: I know Mitchell has fought many fights and is an experienced boxer, but I know I can come out with a victory on the 17th. I know he is a southpaw, and I have been training hard against southpaws.

Question: Sharmba, has it been frustrating trying to earn another title fight?

Mitchell: It has been somewhat frustrating waiting for another title shot, but I do not let it get to me. Right now I take it one day at a time. If the opportunity comes, it comes. We are taking the necessary steps to get to that point. Tszyu is running and make excuses. We have to corner him. I cannot look at that fight just yet because I have a tough fight against Tackie. After this fight, you can ask me all the questions you want about Tszyu and getting my belt back.

Question: Have you been able to keep momentum going after the Phillips fight?

Mitchell: I have been anxious to get back into the ring. Training is going great. It is hard all the time, and it is hot as heck down here (Takoma Park, Maryland). I have just been focusing on fighting this fight. I never look past the guy I have in front of me.

Question: How long did it take you to get back into top form after your injury?

Mitchell: I am not exactly sure how long it took to get back into top form. I thought age had gotten to me. I talk about retiring so much, but this is my peak time right now. I have to do what I need to do. God works in mysterious ways, and I am just going with the program.

Question: Anwar, how did you feel when you were told you would be fighting Lacy on SHOWTIME?

Oshana: I felt great when I was told I would be fighting Lacy. I got the call and said I wanted to fight Lacy even though I did not know much about him. This is a great opportunity for me, and I expect an all out war and an exciting fight.

Question: Jeff, do you have a sense of fear when you go in the ring?

Lacy: I never take fear into the ring. I do what I need to do in training to prepare, so I am thinking of nothing but winning when I get in there.

Question: How do you feel about fighting Oshana?

Lacy: I have talked about taking a step up in class with Gary Shaw and Shelly Finkel. It is the next step up for me. I am always in terrific shape, so moving up in class is not a factor.

Question: Sharmba, how upset will you be if Tszyu retires before he gives you another fight?

Mitchell: If Tszyu retires, that will show you what kind of champion he is. Champions clean up their messes and fight other champions. I wish we could go back to the old days when champions fought the top contenders, not the No. 18 ranked fighter.

Question: Do you plan on fighting the same way against Tackie as you did in the Carlos Vilches fight?

Mitchell: Every fight is different and every fighter is different. I am going to use a different game plan against Tackie. Anytime I step in the ring, I do the best I can.

Question: Anwar, how would you describe your boxing style?

Oshana: I am a brawler. Have you ever seen Jake LaMotta fight? That is how I fight.

Question: Sharmba, if you become the mandatory challenger for Tszyu, will you stay active or wait to fight Tszyu?

Mitchell: I am always going to stay active. I know my opportunity will come up, and I think it will come up soon. I do not think Shaw wants to have a great fighter sitting around. I do not like to fight tomato cans. I like to fight great fighters. That is what brings the best out of me.

Question: Lacy, have you noticed an improvement in your performance during the last few months?

Lacy: I have learned a lot from going 12 rounds. I learned to try to relax and let things happen. I am strong, I can box and all my combinations are coming together for me.

Question: Sharmba, do you have a prediction for your fight against Tackie?

Mitchell: I do not like to make predictions or predict knockouts. I know how to do one thing, and that is win.

Question: Do any of you worry about fighting at high altitude?

Lacy: I have trained at high altitude and I am in terrific shape. It will not be a problem.

Mitchell: I fought in Colorado and at other high altitude locations. I will get to Reno early and get used to the location, but I am in shape so I will be fine.

Tackie: The altitude will not be a problem for me.