Brian Mitchell vs Jim McDonnell WBA super featherweight title DUAL SIGNED official on-site 14 page programme, 2nd November 1998, Elephant and Castle Recreation Centre, London.

Condition mint

Mitchell W Unanimous decision

Price: £65

Born Brian Cecil Mitchell on August 30, 1961 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mitchell turned pro in 1981 in his hometown and two years later won the South African junior lightweight title via 9th round TKO. He defended his title eight times before challenging for the WBA junior lightweight title on September 27, 1986. Mitchell defeated Alfredo Layne by 10th round TKO to win the crown in Sun City, South Africa and an impressive string of 12 successful defences followed. Due to South Africa's policy of apartheid, Mitchell became a road warrior, defending his title across the globe (Puerto Rico, Panama, France, Italy, Spain, UK, and the United States).

On March 15, 1991 he drew with Tony “The Tiger” Lopez in Lopez' hometown of Sacramento, CA in a WBA / IBF junior lightweight unification contest. Stripped of his WBA title for agreeing to a rematch six months later, he scored a 12-round win over Lopez for the IBF strap. Mitchell retired following the win, but came out of retirement for two winning bouts in 1994 and 1995 in his native South Africa.

Credited for his poise and stamina in the ring, Mitchell ultimately retired with a 45-1-3 (21 KOs) professional record. Following his years in the ring, Mitchell owned a boxing gymnasium where he managed, promoted and trained such fighters as WBO light middleweight champion Harry Simon and Cassius Baloyi.










Jim McDonnell, former European Champion in the Featherweight division represented Britain at the 1982 Commonwealth games. Jim started his professional career soon after the Brisbane Games, winning his first 24 fights.
He won European title during this run before getting his chance to fight for a World Title. Unfortunately Jim was facing a great Super-featherweight champion in Brian Mitchell. Mitchell had only lost one fight against Jacob Morake and this defeat was avenged an amazing three times.

McDonnell lost the fight over 12 rounds at a packed Elephant & Castle but rebounded with two more wins including a 4th round stoppage ending Barry McGuigan’s career.

Challenging once more for the World Super-Featherweight title Jim faced off with another ring legend in the great Azumah Nelson and lost by 12th round stoppage but was leading on the scorecards at the time.

Jim was extremely unlucky not to win a World title and would surely have won one in today's climate and no doubt could have won the IBF or WBO during his career but he was adamant he only wanted to fight for the WBC or WBA titles as the IBF and WBO at that time were fledgling sanctioning bodies. After retiring from boxing Jim continues to have great success as a trainer and is probably one of the best trainers in the world today famously masterminding Danny Williams’ victory over Mike Tyson.

He fought 5 World Champs defeated 3 of them. Fought twice for world title losing epic battles to Brian Mitchell and Azumah Nelson who is widely thought of as the best ever African boxer at any weight.

After retiring from the ring in 1998 he turned to training and has carved out another stella career being feared, respected and loved by many fine athletes. He maintains his own fitness to the very highest standard both as a benchmark for his 'students' but also for his own self esteem.

He currently trains boxers 'Golden' James DeGale, Simon 'fightin Irish' O'Donnell, Steve Murray, Mehrdud Takaloo, Paul Halpin, Steve O'Meara and MMA legend Roger Gracie.

When then Spurs and England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, lost his confidence he turned to Jim who sorted him out mentally and physically, now Paul is a success at Blackburn.

Jim also trained TV presenter Ben Fogle winner of the Sport Relief Light Entertainment Boxing Belt in 2004. In 2005 Jim trained ex Manchester United and Chelsea star Mark Bosnich for the same event. In 2003 Jim trained Les Dennis for the same event.