NADER HAMDAN VS. JAYDE MITCHELL: THE INTERSECTION OF CROSSING ROADS

By Aus-Boxing.com

THE familiar narrative of proven veteran versus talented prospect will play out once again on Friday night.
Former two-time world title challenger and divisional gatekeeper Nader Hamdan will challenge popular Victorian product Jayde Mitchell for his WBA affliated regional bauble in a fight that lives by the very definition of crossroads.
In a nineteen year professional career, Hamdan, 42, secured an abundance of accolades, including Australian titles in two divisions before falling short in two credible world title bids to Anthony Mundine and Robert Stieglitz.
While he may not reach those storied heights in his ambitious return, Hamdan is just happy to be back.
“I missed the challenge, there’s nothing like the fight game,” said Hamdan in an interview with Aus-Boxing.
“I think I’ve still got something to offer. Over the last year or so, I had too many questions that were bothering me. I wanted to answer them and in training, I’ve answered all the questions and the challenges I’ve faced too.”
“Jayde and I will fight for his WBA regional title; and I’m looking to get a good win here,”
The site of Hamdan’s last world title challenge was in Thüringen, Germany. The well-travelled street cleaner believes an impressive win over Mitchell could lead to an eventual trip to Germany once more.
Hamdan (44-11-1, 19 KOs), who travelled to Germany for previous fights against Mads Larsen and Arthur Abraham, has one eye set on WBA super middleweight champion and German boxing poster boy, Felix Sturm.
“The current WBA world champion (Felix Sturm) is German and I had plenty of solid fights in Germany. Anything is possible here and that’s another goal I would like to fulfil by becoming world champion.”
Behind every fighter is an almost implausible mindset that carries them into battle. For Hamdan, that will to fight – and will to win – hasn’t wained and he is excited to be back in the trenches and on enemy soil.
“There is no challenge like going toe-to-toe and man-to-man, I missed it too much,” he added. “Things are good in life. My family and my boys are all achieving in their chosen sporting fields and their education too,”
“I’ve got a great job with the Sydney City Council and I’ll be moving onto working with troubled youth in time, but right now I love this challenge. The fight game, the preparation, the fight and everything that comes with it.”
“I’m looking forward to experiencing the madness – I stayed away as long as I could – in the end, it beat me.”
If Hamdan paints a picture of delirium, his opponent Jayde Mitchell is not too dissimilar. The likeable Peninsula resident speaks with the humility and courtesy of a true gentleman ahead of the biggest fight of his career.
“My preparation for this fight has been great,” said Mitchell to Aus-Boxing about his latest training camp.
“Thanks to the help of my sponsors, I’m able to concentrate one hundred percent on boxing. This means I’m able to look after my body, my nutrition and my overall fitness to the fullest extent; I’ve left no stone unturned.”
Despite the odds being stacked in his favour, Mitchell (7-1, 4 KOs) refuses to take anything for granted. The 30-year-old, who is twelve years younger than Hamdan, believes that age is simply a number, and will play no factor.
And to his credit, Mitchell is treating Hamdan with reverence; praising the veteran for his crafty abilities.
“Age is only a number, we’re expecting and have prepared for ten tough rounds,” added Mitchell. “Nader is a proven warrior with every punch in the book. He never takes a backwards step and he has been one of Australia’s best,”
“Without a doubt, Nader’s biggest strength is his heart. They don’t call the man ‘Lion Heart’ for nothing.”
“This fight is by far my biggest,” he continued. “As a huge boxing fan, this fight is a dream come true,”
“I have nothing but respect for all the great Australian fighters who have come before me. This means the world to me, to be testing myself on a new level and getting to swap leather with a fighter I’ve loved watching,”
Respect is often discussed but rarely given. However, in this case, it is proving to be a welcome exception.