By Scott Gilfoid: 5’8” lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell (31-0, 23 KO’s) says he wants to become a three weight champion, according to Boxrec news. I suppose Mitchell, 25, is counting his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles as part of that, because it’s hard to imagine that Mitchell, with his slight build, will win a lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight title.

I can’t see it happening in this lifetime, although it makes for a good quote. Mitchell says “I fought the guy who knocked him [Khan] out [speaking about Breidis Prescott] and after that fight I sat in front of 200 press and said I wanted the fight [with Khan]. If he fancied the fight it would be on. I think everyone knows why this fight isn’t happening. “Mitchell says he wants [Juan Manuel] “Marquez or [Juan] Diaz. I want to be a three weight champion.”

First of all, I don’t see Mitchell getting by World Boxing Organization lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO’s) this Saturday night at Upton Park. The only way I can see Mitchell winning that fight is if it comes down to winning a controversial decision. Mitchell just appears to skinny, frail and not rugged enough to beat a big slugger like Katsidis in my view. I don’t for a second expect Mitchell to try and trade with Katsidis.

I see him doing a lot of the running he did in his fight with Prescott. The problem is the running will likely be useless against Katsidis, who cuts off the ring expertly against runners. I also noticed that Mitchell does an awful lot of ducking and moving his head, even when his opponents are a mile away. This constant ducking of imaginary punches will be useless against Katsidis, because he’ll see what I see and go after Mitchell’s body. Mitchell can run like a gazelle but his body will be there to be hit all night long. He’s not skillful like Andre Dirrell in avoiding body shots. Indeed, Mitchell’s feet and head move constantly, but his midsection is always there just begging to be punched. I’m sure that Katsidis will oblige.

I respect Mitchell for wanting to be a three weight champion, but I think it’s not a realistic goal. Juan Diaz, who I think is vulnerable against light welterweights, is incredibly tough on lightweights. He’s basically a punching machine and I think he eats Mitchell up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He’s not a fighter you can beat by running from all night long and Mitchell would get dominated during the exchanges. He doesn’t have the long arms like Paulie Malignaggi or the elusive style of fighting. Mitchell still gets hit an awful lot, even when he moves a lot. I see Diaz totally dominating him and I see Marquez knocking Mitchell out. I think Mitchell is a good serviceable contender in the lightweight division but that’s as far as it goes.