OF the 86 South Africans who have won a world title since Willie Smith beat Teddy Baldock for the British version of the world bantamweight title on 26 October 1927 over 15 rounds at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Brian Mitchell, who celebrated his 60th birthday on August 30, 2021, possibly has the strongest claim to being the greatest of them all.

Mitchell, who was born in 1961, made his professional debut on August 15, 1981, winning on points over four rounds against Joseph Moneoane and, in an outstanding career; he only lost one of 49 fights, winning a South African title and the WBA and IBF junior lightweight titles.

Statistics tell only part of the story as many other factors should be added to the numbers behind his name, with 45 victories, of which 21 came inside the distance, one defeat, and three draws in a professional career that lasted 14 years.

One of the factors that should be considered is that Mitchell fought at a time when South African sportsmen were largely ostracised from international sport.

During those years of isolation, SA sports teams and individual stars were often prevented from competing against the best in the world due to the government’s policies.

Mitchell’s situation was a good example. He won the WBA junior lightweight title on September 27, 1986 at Sun City but immediately found it almost impossible to defend the belt at home.

He was forced to travel around the world, facing hostile demonstrators almost everywhere he went to ply his trade.

An American magazine described him as boxing’s “Ultimate road warrior” as he defended his belt in Puerto Rico, Panama, Spain, Italy, Sicily, England, France, and the United States.

Later, as a seasoned campaigner, he had no fears about fighting in his opponents’ backyard. He showed that when he twice fought Tony Lopez in Sacramento, where Lopez’s supporters were baying for the South African’s blood.

Lopez came away with a lucky draw in the first fight but received a boxing lesson in the return bout. Mitchell became the first South African to win two “world” titles.

His boxing career began in Malvern, east of the Johannesburg City Centre, where his mother, Cecilia, was the driving force during his amateur days.

He soon began fighting in township tournaments for very low purse monies because some leading promoters did not offer him bouts on their shows.

He fought in places such as Diepkloof, KwaThema, Vosloorus and Sebokeng and became known in some quarters as the black fighter in a white skin.

Mitchell suffered his only defeat in May 1982 when Jacob Morake beat him on points in his sixth professional fight. In April, the next year he won the SA junior lightweight title when he stopped Chris Whiteboy in the ninth round.

He defended the title eight times and won the Old Buck championship belt.

The low point in Mitchell’s career came on November 2, 1985 when he and Morake fought for the fourth time.

Morake was stopped in the 12th round and never regained consciousness. Mitchell was devastated but resumed boxing after much soul searching.

After he won the WBA junior lightweight title, the organisation ruled that he could not defend the belt in South Africa, forcing him to do so abroad. In his first defence, he drew with Joe Riviera in Puerto Rico. Some said he was a little lucky.

But dedication, superb conditioning, durability, and excellent technique soon became the hallmarks of his career.

He retained the title in 12 defences, all abroad. It was, at that time, a record for the division.