By Scott Gilfoid: Earlier today, I read an amusing press release in which lightweight Kevin Mitchell (31-0, 23 KO’s) said he’d be knocking out World Boxing Organization lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO’s) when they fight on May 8th. As of now, there’s still no location set for the fight, but it could take place at Upton Park. Mitchell, 25, will have home field advantage despite Katsidis being the champion. The reason for that is because Mitchell’s promoter Frank Warren recently won the purse bid for the fight, so it won’t be held in Katsidis’ home city of Sydney, Australia.
This could give Mitchell a big advantage if the fight goes to the cards in England, because he could get the benefit of the doubt if the fight is somewhat close. I don’t expect the fight to go to the cards, though, unless Mitchell decides to run all night long like he did in his last fight against Breidis Prescott. Mitchell won that fight, which took place in England, by a 12 round decision.
I thought it was a bad decision myself, and felt that Prescott should have won. Mitchell ran from Prescott like a rat from a cat in that fight. I would have liked to have seen Mitchell stand and trade with Prescott for 12 rounds. Say what you want about Amir Khan, he at least tried to stand his ground and trade punches with Prescott. It didn’t work, because he got starched in the 1st round, but at least he tried to stand his ground.
I can’t see Mitchell standing and trading with Katsidis, who hits every bit as hard as Prescott. Mitchell says he won’t be running from Katsidis when they step in the ring on May 8th, but I think he will. Once Mitchell tastes some of Katsidis’ power shots, I see him running like a scalded dog to try and prevent from Katsidis landing any additional shots.
I’m betting that his is going to be a replay of the running that Mitchell did in his fight with Prescott. Mitchell will run and run, and occasionally stop to throw a shot. The British crowd will eat it up, and scream madly as if Mitchell is fighting the most exciting bout you’d ever seen in your life. If Katsidis wants to land any shots in this fight, he’s probably going to have to chase Mitchell down and try to force him to fight.
I see Katsidis winning every round by default for lack of action from Mitchell. I hope that Mitchell sticks to his word and doesn’t run, but I’m thinking he won’t and will run for the hills from the word go. Katsidis is a top level fighter, and has world class power. I see Mitchell as not being a top 15 fighter, even though he has a gaudy record and a number #1 ranking by the WBO. I see Mitchell as a high level 2nd tier fighter. He’s good, but not top tier in my view. I see Katsidis exposing Mitchell on May 8th, and hurting Mitchell if he makes the mistake of not running enough to keep out of harm’s way.
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