"I am feeling good, rested up, and I am back in the gym. I am getting ready for my next fight, some time in March...A lot of heavyweights know I'm big and strong, but they underestimate my athleticism, speed, and my boxing IQ. Once I get in the ring, it catches them by surprise...All I can do is continue to get better. I plan on fighting 4 times in 2012. I am looking forward to big fights. They may not think I am ready, but keep watching," stated undefeated heavyweight contender Seth Mitchell, who talked about his recent victory over Timur Ibragimov, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
BJ: How you doing Seth?
SM: I am feeling good, rested up, and I am back in the gym. I am getting ready for my next fight, some time in March.
BJ: Congrats on your last fight, a sensational second round KO over [Timur] Ibragimov. Was the fact that he had never been stopped before extra motivation for you?
SM: I wanted to be the first to stop him. At the same time, I didn't go out there and be reckless or overaggressive. I stuck to the game plan that my trainer, Andre Hunter, and I put together.
BJ: Could you break the second round down for us in detail?
SM: In the 2nd round, I wanted to be more aggressive. I felt like in the first 2 minutes of the 1st round, he wasn't throwing as many punches. In the last minute of the 1st round, he tried to be the aggressor. In the 2nd round, I wanted to be more aggressive because he wasn't throwing as many punches when I was dictating the fight. He came in with a jab and I countered with my jab, my right hand, and came back with a left hook. The left hook dazed him and I finished him off from there with a body and head attack.
BJ: Why could you do what no other man has been able to do and stop the durable Ibragimov?
SM: A lot of heavyweights know I'm big and strong, but they underestimate my athleticism, speed, and my boxing IQ. Once I get in the ring, it catches them by surprise.
BJ: Seth, you have knocked your last 9 opponents out and have a 72% KO ratio. Do you want to be known as a knockout artist? Is this something you pride yourself on?
SM: I pride myself on not underestimating my opponents, coming into the ring mentally and physically prepared, and putting on exciting fights for the fans.
BJ: What was it like fighting on a huge undercard [Khan vs. Peterson]?
SM: It was a good feeling to be on that card, my first HBO appearance as co-main event, and fighting at home was icing on the cake. That made the night even more special for me.
BJ: What does 2012 hold for you? Would you like a title shot?
SM: I think I am about 3 or 4 fights away from the title shot. It will likely come in 2013.
BJ: Many people are already calling you the American heavyweight savior and a threat to the Klitschkos. I think this is a bit premature and would like to see you fight top opposition and maybe get a shot somewhere down the line. What do you say to those who say you're not ready?
SM: Everybody has an opinion. All I can do is continue to get better. I plan on fighting 4 times in 2012. I am looking forward to big fights. They may not think I am ready, but keep watching.
BJ: Would you fight the Klitschkos tomorrow if the opportunity came about?
SM: Most likely that wouldn't be my next fight. I still need some more experience.
BJ: Could you beat them now or are you not ready yet? If so, who is most beatable out of the brothers, Wladimir or Vitali?
SM: I need more experience for both of them. Both are great fighters and both possess different strengths and skill sets.
BJ: How do you feel when people compare you to Mike Tyson as far as the aggressive inside fighting style you have?
SM: It is an honor to even be mentioned in the same sentence with Mike Tyson. He was my favorite fighter growing up. I don't think we fight the same, but we are both aggressive fighters.
BJ: Seth, some critics just say you're a puncher. What's the truth? What do you see yourself as, a boxer, a puncher, or both?
SM: I am an aggressive, boxer puncher.
BJ: Talk to us about your alias, Mayhem. Who gave you this name and is there a story to how you got this name, Seth?
SM: We were just throwing names around in college. My football teammate at Michigan State, Jason Teague, came up with the nickname. It had a nice ring to it and it stuck.
BJ: Finally, anything new on your next opponent?
SM: No news on the opponent yet, but I should be fighting some time in March.
BJ: We have a fighter over here called Tyson Fury and there has been talk of you squaring off. Is he on your radar?
SM: Fury is a good fighter. He's 6'9". I saw him fight a few times. He is up and coming and we will wait and see how our futures go.
BJ: Last one Seth, are there any names you want to call out, anything to clear up, or a final message to your fans?
SM: It isn't my style to call out anybody. I am looking forward to fighting boxers in the top fifteen and top ten. I think 2012 will be a big year for me, so tune in. Please follow me on twitter at @SethMayhem48. Thank you for your time.