GREEN, MITCH "BLOOD" SIGNED INDEX CARD (TYSON OPPONENT)
JO Sports Inc.
Regular price $100.00
HISTORY:
Mitch Green (born January 13, 1957) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. He is best known for going the distance with Mike Tyson (20-0, 19 KOs), who was undefeated in 1986, and for his later street brawl with Tyson in 1988. A toothpick dangling between his lips became his trademark at any public appearance.
Early years
Green grew up on 175th St. between Anthony and Clay Aves. "I was shot twice when I was 17. But it had to have been the will of God that I wasn't hurt" said Green. The first time Green was shot it was with a .22 magnum. The bullet passed through his right wrist, but the slug missed arteries, bones and nerves and Green was fighting again a few weeks later. The second time he sustained a graze wound, when a slug slashed the right side of his head, leaving a short, puffy scar. Ironically, it was the gunfights that led Green to less lethal boxing. Later he moved to Jamaica, Queens, where he reportedly quarreled with another Jamaica resident and talented amateur boxer Carl Williams.
Green attended DeWitt Clinton High School while employed as a security guard.
Professional career
Green turned pro in 1980, signing a contract with the rock promoter Shelly Finkel, whom he met at the 1979 New York Golden Gloves. As a professional, Green was one of NBC's "Tomorrow's Champions" (a group of Finkel's young pros, which also included Alex Ramos, Tony Ayala Jr., Donald Curry and Johnny Bumphus)[8] and was ranked as high as #7 by the World Boxing Council, and also in the top ten by the World Boxing Association. Green left Finkel after a year as a pro after a disagreement over payoffs. He was managed by Carl King, son of Don King, who was Green's promoter.
Mitch was undefeated in his first sixteen bouts, which included a 1983 points win over the rugged Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings, and a draw with trial horse Robert Evans. His first loss was a twelve-round decision to future WBC champ Trevor Berbick in a bid for the United States Boxing Association title on August 10, 1985.
In March 1985, Green violently interrupted a pre-fight press conference of the Larry Holmes vs David Bey championship fight, claiming that he was a way better contender than Bey, and seeking for a clash with Don King's people.
Green vs. Tyson
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Mitch Green
"He's got great hand speed. He punches well and boxes well. Also, he's very mobile. It's the combination of those assets - not any one quality - that makes him an interesting opponent."
—Jim Jacobs, Tyson's manager, on Green.
After a comeback win over Percell Davis he lost a ten-round decision to Mike Tyson in 1986 on HBO, in his most famous fight. In the buildup to the fight Green had complained bitterly of the disparity in purses between him and Tyson when a day before the fight, at weigh-ins, Green learned he was being paid $30,000 in comparison to Tyson's $200,000 for fight alone + $1 million deal for HBO live broadcast of 3 fights. He threatened to pull out of the contest, finally settling for being released from his managerial contract with King's stepson Carl in return for his short purse. Green put up a stubborn showing during the fight despite losing a ten-round unanimous decision, and at one point managed to knock one of Tyson's gold teeth out, which landed in front of writer Phil Berger.[citation needed]
A week later Green was released from his contract by manager Carl King, who was criticized the previous week by Green for mishandling his career.
Later years
Green had been scheduled to box James "Bonecrusher" Smith in December 1986 on the undercard of the Tim Witherspoon–Tony Tubbs world heavyweight title fight. However, when Tubbs dropped out claiming injury, Bonecrusher stepped in and won the title, leaving Green without a fight or payday.] Prior to that, Green appeared at the Witherspoon–Smith pre-fight negotiations, again threatening Don King.
Green refused to box for many years and was in frequent trouble with the law. He finally returned to the ring in February 1993, then aged 36, against journeyman Bruce Johnson. Again complaining about his purse and his new manager, Green refused to throw any punches and argued constantly with the referee, until the exasperated ref stopped the bizarre contest in the third.
Throughout the 1990s, Green sporadically came out of retirement, most notably in bids for the New York State heavyweight title, against fringe contenders Melvin Foster in 1994 and Brian Nix in 1998. A 1998 win over Mike Dixon was ruled a 'no contest' when Green tested positive for marijuana. A March 1996 contest with Shannon Briggs fell apart when Green pulled a gun on his manager.
Green was scheduled to fight James Broad for the NABF title in 1985, but dropped out of the fight for money reasons.
Late in his career, an aged Green held two spurious championships. He won the World Boxing Empire Super-Heavyweight Title with a twelve-round decision over Danny Wofford on March 9, 2002, and was proclaimed the Universal Boxing Organization Heavyweight Champion on June 24, 2005. He never defended either title. His last fight was a fourth-round knockout of Billy Mitchem on August 2, 2005.
Feud with Mike Tyson
Green was also known for an incident that began in the early hours of August 23, 1988, in Harlem. Tyson and some friends were shopping at Dapper Dan's, a Harlem clothing store. Green had heard that Tyson was in the area and found him, demanding a rematch. A scuffle ensued. Green allegedly threw a punch and Tyson responded with punch of his own, closing Green's eye and requiring stitches to his nose. Tyson broke his hand in the incident and had to postpone his fight with Frank Bruno. Later, although a New York jury awarded Green $45,000 in damages in a civil lawsuit against Tyson, the sum did not cover the legal fees. Tyson later recounted his version of the fight in his book and Broadway show Undisputed Truth, as well as on his Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson podcast.
Offered here is a signed index card by Mitch "Blood" Green.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, white, unlined index card. Boldly signed in blue ink, "Mitch "Blood" Green New York City Champ 1760 Watson ave BX 10472 apt 4.F." Has a mild fold on left edge. Clean. 3" x 5."
Size: 3" x 5"
Condition: Very Good