Mitch "Blood" Green

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Mitchell Green, A.K.A. Mitch "Blood" Green (born January 13, 1957) is a former American boxer. He is probably best known because of a 1988 street fight with Mike Tyson.

1 Amateur career
2 Pro career
3 Feud with Mike Tyson
4 External links

[edit] Amateur career

As an amateur he won the New York Golden Gloves four times (1976, 1977, 1979 and 1980) and compiled a record of 64 wins and 7 losses, with 51 wins by knock-out. Green won the 1976 Sub-Novice Heavyweight Championship and the 1977, 1979 and 1980 Heavyweight Open Championships. Green defeated Anthony Zampelli to win the 1976 title. In 1977 Green defeated Guy Casale for the title. In 1979 Green defeated Ralph Fucci for the Championship and in 1980 Green defeated Merlin Castellanos for the title. Green trained at the United Block Association Gym in New York City.

He was considered a prospect for the 1980 Olympic Games (held in Moscow), but the U.S. boycotted the event.

[edit] Pro career

He turned pro in November of 1980 and was one of NBC's Tomorrow's Champions. He was unbeaten in his first 16 fights before losing a unanimous decision to future world champion Trevor Berbick in a bid for the U.S.B.A. Heavyweight Title. After a comeback victory over Percell Davis, and a #7 ranking by the World Boxing Council (W.B.C.), he faced Mike Tyson at Madison Square Garden on May 20, 1986. Green lost a 10 round unanimous decision but was never off his feet. He was the first fighter to face Tyson without getting knocked down. Green would not fight again for 7 years.

In February of 1993 he had a comeback bout against journeyman Bruce Johnson. In a bizarre incident, Green refused to throw punches (he felt he was being underpaid) and the refereee stopped the fight in the 3rd round and awarded Johnson a TKO victory.

Throughout the 1990's Green would sporadically come out of retirement, most notably in losses to Melvin Foster and Brian Nix in bids for the New York State Heavyweight Title.

In 2002 he again came out of retirement to fight for the newly formed World Boxing Syndicate (W.B.S.) Super-Heavyweight Title. His opponent was Dan Wofford who had a record of 17 wins, 94 losses, and 2 draws. Green won a unanimous decision and was awarded the title belt.

His last fight was August 2, 2005 against Billy Mitchem in Memphis, Tennessee. Green won the fight by a 4th round knock-out, and had several fight offers lined up, but would eventually fade back into retirement. His final record was 19 wins (12 by KO), 6 losses, 1 draw, and 1 No Contest.

[edit] Feud with Mike Tyson

Green is best known for his out of the ring antics with Tyson. The incident began with a run in on August 23, 1988 in Harlem. Tyson was shopping at Dapper Dans, a Harlem clothing store. Green had heard that Tyson was in the area and went to track him down in hopes of securing a rematch. A scuffle ensued and Green allegedly threw a punch and Tyson responded with a straight right to Green's nose, requiring five stitches. Tyson broke his hand in the incident and had to postpone his fight with Frank Bruno. Later a New York jury would award boxer Green $45000 in damages in a civil lawsuit against Tyson.