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TELESCO & MITCHELL LOOKING TO FOLLOW IN FOOTSTEPS OF PAST GREATS
When former number one light heavyweight contender David Telesco (30-6-1, 25KO) and former two-time world champion Byron Mitchell (27-5-1, 20KO) step into the ring against on another on October 21st on Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing Promoted card at the Rye Town Hilton Hotel in Rye Brook, NY, there will be no title at stake, or huge payday to cash in on. There will also be no major television coverage such as HBO or Showtime airing the event. And while they will both be years removed from the time the two knockout artists were widely considered to be two of the top fighters in their respective divisions, saying that this fight isn't one of the most important in their entire careers, would be a huge understatement.
"You have a former number one contender fighting a former two-time world champion in what is most likely their last opportunity to do something big for their career's in this sport," stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and founder of Star Boxing. "This is a do or die fight for both of these guys, and they know it. At this stage of their careers neither of these guys can afford a loss, so you know they are going to give it all they have come October 21st."
Both Telesco and Mitchell are looking to follow in the footsteps of past greats such as George Foremen, and most recently Bernard Hopkins, who have shocked the world and won world championships while in their 40's. At 41-years of age Telesco is the older of the two (Mitchell will turn 36 on the 31st of this month). Both guys also recently were on four and a half year hiatus's from the ring. Mitchell returned in 2008 and has fought three times since, while this will only be Telesco's second fight since returning in July with a sensational 2nd round TKO over extremely durable, William Gill.
TELESCO (R) LOOKED TREMENDOUS IN DISMANTLING GILL (L) IN HIS LAST FIGHT
"Everything's been great. I have been having great training camps, my sparring has been terrific, and most importantly my body feels very good, and very strong," says Telesco.
"I have been boxing since I was 15 years old, so the time away helped me rest my body. I have a great team of personal trainers at The Club @ 1133 that I have been working with for the past eight weeks or so, and they really are taking my strength training to a different level. We are working on a lot of different explosive exercises to not only build power, but to build speed, and I think you will once again see that when I step into the ring on the 21st."
At 41-year years of age though, there are certainly times when maybe the five days of boxing, four days of hard road work, and three days of intensive strength training a week; all while holding down three jobs; do start to take a toll on your body. For Telesco though, his training partner won't allow him to slow down, that is not if Telesco hopes to save face at home.
"I train with my 21-year-old son David Jr. He plays in the newly formed CDFL (Collegiate Development Football League). It gives players a chance to continue playing football at a very high level and also an opportunity to be noticed by both college and professional scouts. We both push each other hard in training. As much as he always tells everyone I am inspiration to him, he is just as much inspiration for me."
FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION BYRON MITCHELL
"This is an exciting fight for me, because Telesco's name carries credibility. He was a former number one contender, and he fought some big names in his career, including going twelve rounds with Roy Jones Jr," stated Mitchell. "Beating a guy like this will be a big positive for my career."
While some fighters may be wary of having to fight in their opponent's back yard, it's something that Mitchell has become accustomed to over his 23 plus year career.
"Even when I was the champion of the world, I was still traveling into guy's hometowns to defend my championship belt, so fighting Telesco in Rye doesn't make any difference to me. Once we get in that ring, it's just him and I, his fans can't fight for him. I have had a great training camp for this fight and I am in great shape, and just ready to go. I am really looking forward to getting in the ring on the 21st and coming out with a spectacular victory."
And that spectacular victory Mitchell eludes to isn't just a good winning performance from him, it's a knockout.
"If you ask my trainer he will tell you we never go looking for the knockout and if it comes it comes. A lot of fighters say that too, that they don't look for the knockout, but if they have the opportunity they will go for it. Every single round I am in that ring, I am looking for the knockout. Of course it's not always going to happen, but I am constantly looking for it. Maybe it's a certain punch I see can land, or a certain angle I need to be in to throw that punch, whatever it is though I am always looking for it. I have power as you can see by my record, and I like to bang, as does David. You have two guys coming straight forward at each other looking to knock the other guy out. These are the type of fights as a fan you won't want to miss, because there are going to be plenty of fireworks, that I can promise you."
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