GL: It's been a minute since we've had you on Boxingtalk. What's the latest and greatest with Sharmba Mitchell? "I've been training so I can get this fat off me and get in shape to do my last three fights so I can go out right. It's like I told you before Greg, if I come back it's going to be the way it should be. I'm going to do it right this time. You learn a lot over the years and I think I was sort of burnt out after those four years of constant fighting. But I've had a good break right now and I'm able to get back in the gym and stay ready to keep from getting ready."

GL: Do you plan on fighting at 147 pounds?

Sharmaba Mitchel: "Oh yeah. There's no way I can go down to 140 and I'm not going to go up to 154 just yet. I'm going to come back at 147 and I hear Arturo Gatti is going to be fighting in July and he's looking for a good opponent and here I am. I think that would be an excellent fight for both of us. I think he's fought everybody you can name and so have I, so why don't we just fight each other. We've both got drawing power in Atlantic City and I think it would be a great fight that would go down in history. We haven't fought each other since the amatuers and I think it's a fight that needs to happen."

GL: I've been hearing Edgar Santana's name come up as a possible opponent for Gatti. Can you tell us why you feel Gatti-Mitchell is a more meaningful fight?

SM: "Who is Edgar Santana? Who has fought? Who has he beaten? What big deal would that be in Atlantic City or anywhere? I'm a two time champion at junior welterweight and Gatti is a three time champion so there's no way that fight is more meaningful. My name is bigger in the boxing world so why not have two great fighters who are the same age fight each other."

GL: In a perfect you'd get the fights you wanted and a Gatti fight would come to fruition. However this world is far from perfect and boxing is certainly no different. With that being said, if it's not Gatti who else is out there that you'd like to fight at welterweight?

SM: "I would like to go after Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto. But to be honest with you I don't think Cotto is going to get passed Zab Judah on June 9. I've never been one to give Zab props, but I think he's going to knock him out and beat him pretty easy. I think it's going to be a good night for Zab and if he beats Cotto then Zab is going to be the guy I'm looking for. Zab is still a young guy and you have to remember one thing, you're never bigger than boxing and your obligation is to make the best fights possible. If for whatever reason I don't have a title by then, Zab and me could do something for my farewell fight in Atlantic City."

GL: What else is shaking Mr. Mitchell?

SM: "I've got one of the best heavyweights in the world Anthony Thompson. I'm co-managing him with my cousin Nate and we were all at the Garden so see how suspect Sultan is. He was in there with nothing and we've made it clear to Warriors that we want to fight Sultan right away and if this thing with Shannon Briggs doesn't happen we're ready to fight him asap."

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

SM: "I'm going to come back like a bat out of hell to do what I'm supposed to do. I hope they're ready because I'm coming."

M

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