Andre Berto? For what?

GL: What's the latest and greatest Mr. Mitchell? I got your email where you informed me that the Team Arturo Gatti turned you down for his July date. Tell us about it. "I don't think it's Gatti directly and I'd love for him to call me directly. I think his people turning it down. His people say I'm too fast and too risky. It's just what I said, for me it's hard to believe that's Gatti. In the past we have talked about fighting each other to help each other get back to where we want to be. This sport is about big fights and big money. I know Gatti is like me and he'll fight anybody."

GL: If it's not going to be Gatti what's plan B?

Sharmba Mitchell: "I don't know yet, but I have no problem working my way back to get to a title. I'm a two time world champion and it should be no problem to get right back in there in the IBF and work my way to the champion."

GL: Winning on HBO or Showtime would expedite a title shot, would you fight someone like Andre Berto if the opportunity presented itself?

SM: "Why fight him when I can go after one of the champions?"

GL: He's been on HBO three times in the last seven months, you don't think beating him would help you get a fight with one of the champions?

SM: "I've been on HBO and Showtime a million times. I'm trying to get another couple fights and a world title fight. I'm going to do it my way, the right way to help me get to where I want to be as quickly as I can. If I can't, then there's other things I can do with my life."

GL: What's the latest with Anthony Thompson?

SM: "We're going to do a fight for him sometime in May, just something for him to stay busy. We have to keep him busy until one of the champions comes out of the closet. I guess nobody in the heavyweight division wants to fight a tall southpaw."

GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

SM: "If Gatti comes out of his shell we can make the fight for July."

M

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