"It’s not just about my speed, it’s about being smart and using my experience."

BoxingTalk:  Sharmba, how is training going for your fight against Jose Luis Cruz?

Sharmba Mitchell:  It’s going good.  Since I’m going up against bigger guys now I’m using a little more head movement, and I want to get his timing down.

BoxingTalk:  How much do you feel your experience will play a factor in this fight?

Sharmba Mitchell:  From now on in my career, my experience will have to play a major factor in my fights.  It’s not just about my speed, it’s about being smart and using my experience.

BoxingTalk:  Even though Cruz is not extremely well known, he only has one loss against Sugar Shane Mosley, and a draw with Carlos Baldomir.  How important is it that you don’t underestimate Cruz in this fight?

Sharmba Mitchell:  I never underestimate anyone, especially Cruz.  He’s a big guy and a hard hitter. He has a good record and has fought good people.

BoxingTalk:  What is your strategy going into this fight?

Sharmba Mitchell:  I’m going to go in there and be smart.  I’m going to try to break him down with body shots, and work my way up from there.  I just need to be smart, and use the experience that I have.

BoxingTalk:  Having batted .500 in 2005, do you feel you need this win in order to booster your career?

Sharmba Mitchell:  Definitely.  Every fight is very important to me right now.  My thing is that I want to get this win and beef up my career with 4 world titles.  If Cruz is the person in my way for me to get there, then that’s my focus right now.  I have to get past this hard hitting Mexican that I have in front of me.  That’s is no joke.  He’s coming to knock to me out.

BoxingTalk:  Do you feel your back is up against the wall going into this fight?

Sharmba Mitchell:  My back is always up against the wall.  I’m a former world champion coming off a fight with Floyd Mayweather, and I’m going for the title at 147.  It’s magnificent!

BoxingTalk:  What will you do to ensure victory on May 3rd?

Sharmba Mitchell:  To use my experience, and go in there and fight the way I know I can fight.

BoxingTalk:  If everything goes according to plan, what will be next for you?

Sharmba Mitchell:  I’ll see what’s happening with Baldomir and Gatti after their fight.  I like Gatti in that fight, but with either one, we can just go ahead and do it, and get it on.

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