25.05.05 – One of the greatest boxers to emerge from the nation’s capital, former Lightweight and Junior Welterweight Champion SHARMBA “LITTLE BIG MAN” MITCHELL (55-4, 31 KOs) will step up to welterweight when he challenges former NABA Welterweight Champion CHRIS “THE MECHANIC” SMITH (19-1-1, 12 KOs) on June 11 at the MCI Center.. The event – CAPITALEXPLOSION – is promoted by Raging Promotions, Inc., The Stuckey Group LLC and PMG, Inc.
“I’m ready to come back at MY weight,” says Mitchell. “I’ve been anticipating this move up in weight for some time now. Chris Smith better come prepared because I’ve got something to prove. I’m going to give my hometown fans a show. The Washington Wizards came back strong this year, now it’s my turn.”
Mitchell of Takoma Park, Maryland, stands 5′ 7″ and has held two world championship belts over his decorated career. He is a former Interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) 140-Pound Champion and former World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Lightweight Champion.
Ten years after turning pro, the exciting Mitchell deservedly received his first world title shot on Oct. 10, 1998. Not only did he have to pry the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight belt away from well-regarded champion, Khalid Rahilou, but he also had to do it in
Rahilou’s homeland of France. Coming in as an underdog, Mitchell showed his immense power by knocking down Rahilou several times on his way to securing a lopsided 12-round decision.
In his first fight with Kostya Tszyu on February 3, 2001, Mitchell suffered a controversial 140-pound world unification bout loss, as well as a knee injury. He returned 13 months later to run off a string of eight consecutive victories. He fought successfully around the world before falling to Tszyu in a 2004 rematch. Considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Mitchell is continuing to build on his impressive career by moving up to the 147-pound weight class for the first time.
Smith captured his NABA Welterweight crown on Sept. 12, 2002 with a ninth-round TKO over Marlon Haynes in Washington, DC. Smith, who stands 5′ 10″ and boasts an impressive travel schedule with fights in no less than 10 states over the past eight years, will pose a dangerous threat despite fighting in Mitchell’s hometown, the site of his championship victory. He is coming off the first loss of his career, an 11th round TKO loss to David Estrada in an IBF Welterweight title elimination contest on January 21, 2005.
“It’s a great honor to be fighting on a Mike Tyson card,” says Smith, a former New York Golden Gloves Champion. “He was my idol growing up. As for going against Sharmba Mitchell, I like to fight guys at the top. I’m excited for the bout.”
Headlining this spectacular card will be the return of two-time heavyweight champion “IRON” MIKE TYSON (50-5, 44 KOs) to face the immovable mountain, Irish/American heavyweight KEVIN “THE CLONES COLOSSUS” McBRIDE (32-4, 27 KOs).
Joining Tyson on this sure to be exciting night of boxing will be women’s boxing champion LAILA “SHE BEE STINGIN” ALI (20-0, 17 KOs). The daughter of Muhammad Ali will defend her WIBA Light Heavyweight Championship in the co-main event against mixed martial arts veteran ERIN “IRISH” TOUGHILL (6-1-1).
Tickets, priced at $700, $450, $250, $100 and $50 (plus applicable service charges and a $3 facility fee) are on sale through all Ticketmaster locations, including the MCI Center box office, via Phonecharge at 202-397-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT, online at
http://www.ticketmaster.com/ ; www.ticketmaster.com and out-of-town fans can call toll-free at 800-551-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 202-628-3200 ext. 5065. For more information please visit http://www.mcicenter.com ; www.mcicenter.com .
Doors open at 5:30 PM with the first of nine scheduled bouts to start at 6:30 PM.
The Tyson-McBride telecast begins at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT and carries a suggested retail price of $44.95. Tyson – McBride will be produced and distributed by Showtime Pay Per View and is promoted by Raging Promotions, in association with The Stuckey Group and PMG. Tyson – McBride will be available to over 50 million pay per view homes.