Pinky Mitchell

Infobox_Boxer
name = Pinky Mitchell
nationality = United States
realname = Myron Herbert Mitchell


nickname = Pinky
weight = light welterweight
birth_date = birth date|1899|1|1|mf=y
birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin
death_date = death date and age|1976|3|11|1899|1|1|mf=y
home =
style = Orthodox
total = 83
wins = 44
KO = 10
losses = 23
draws = 6
no contests = 0

Pinky Mitchell was an American boxer who was the first champion in the light welterweight division.

Early life

Born Myron Mitchell on January 1, 1899, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mitchell was nicknamed Pinky because of his father's statement, on seeing Mitchell in his crib as a baby, that "he's like a little pink rascal." [Citation
last = Ehrmann
first = Pete
title = Pinky Mitchell: The Only Fighter to Win a Title at the Ballot Box
journal = The Ring
volume = 77, no. 4
page = 31
date = April 1998] He was a highly-praised amateur boxer, and during his amateur days, former lightweight champion Battling Nelson said he was the best-looking prospect he had seen. [Citation
last = Ehrmann
first = Pete
title = Pinky Mitchell: The Only Fighter to Win a Title at the Ballot Box
journal = The Ring
volume = 77, no. 4
page = 32
date = April 1998]

Professional career

Mitchell began boxing professionally in 1917. His brother, Richie Mitchell, was also a boxer. Their two styles were quite different, however. Richie was known for all-action bouts while Pinky, according to a later historian, "became a pariah in Milwaukee rings" due to his "lethargic performances" in boxing matches. [Citation
last = Ehrmann
first = Pete
title = Pinky Mitchell: The Only Fighter to Win a Title at the Ballot Box
journal = The Ring
volume = 77, no. 4
page = 32
date = April 1998]

In 1922 Mike Collins, the publisher of a Minneapolis weekly newspaper, the "Boxing Blade", created the light welterweight category and asked his readers to vote for the man they felt was the best fighter at 140 pounds. Mitchell won the balloting and was recognized on November 15, 1922, as the first light welterweight champion. The National Boxing Association (NBA) followed suit and recognized Mitchell as champion. [cite book
last = Mullan
first = Harry
title = The Great Book of Boxing
publisher = Crescent Books
date = 1987
location = New York, New York
pages = 298
isbn = 0751762954]

Mitchell defended his title at least six times. [Citation
last = Ehrmann
first = Pete
title = Pinky Mitchell: The Only Fighter to Win a Title at the Ballot Box
journal = The Ring
volume = 77, no. 4
page = 33
date = April 1998] One of those defenses, a 1925 fight against James "Red" Herring, was mired in controversy. Herring won by disqualification and claimed the light welterweight championship. The Wisconsin Commission and the NBA both declined to recognize Herring as champion, however.

His defense against Mushy Callahan saw Mitchell lose his title in September 1926. After losing to Callahan, Mitchell never won another fight and retired in 1928.

After boxing

After he retired, Mitchell twice ran for sheriff of Milwaukee County, losing both times.

He died on March 11, 1976.

External links

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References and Notes