By Scott Gilfoid: In a press release sent out today, lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell (31-0, 23 KO’s) talks as if WBO lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO’s) is a shot fighter, saying “As for Katsidis, the wheels are definitely coming off for him when he meet at Upton Park. A few years ago he had a great engine and could go from 0 to 60 in a few seconds, but he’s had too many hard fights and he’s like a clapped out old banger.” I’m not sure who Mitchell is talking about, because last time I checked, Katsidis has won three straight fights over Angel Hugo Ramirez, Jesus Chavez and Vicente Escobedo and looked sensational. The dude has got serious talent.
I think Katsidis is better than ever. He’s not slugging quite so much as he used to earlier in his career, but that’s a good thing. Katsidis was too wide open in fights against Czar Amonsot, Joel Casamayor and to a certain extent Juan Diaz. Katsidis has learned to box a little more since then and is a more rounded fighter now than he was earlier in his career. He is still an awesome slugger and clearly a better puncher than Mitchell.
It’s going to be interesting if Mitchell tries to slug with him. I think he’ll get stopped if that happens, because Katsidis appears to be on another level than Mitchell. If Mitchell starts throwing bombs at Katsidis, he’s going to find himself in a lot of trouble, because that’s a style of fighting that really suits Katsidis well. He’s going to pin his ears back and really go after Mitchell. This could get really ugly if Katsidis ends up knocking Mitchell out in front of a large British crowd at Upton Park. With all those fans going there to see Mitchell win, there’s going to be a lot of angry fans if Katsidis stretches him.
Mitchell says “Once I start landing my bombs, smoke is going to be coming out of his [Katsidis] engine big time, and he’ll need a pit stop after a few rounds.” If anyone is going to need a pit stop, I think it’s going to be Mitchell. Actually, I see Mitchell either going down in flames by Katsidis’ bombs or running for his life once he tastes some of Katsidis’ power early on. I see Mitchell as somewhat similar to Katsidis in fighting style. But I see Mitchell as a lesser, weaker version of Katsidis without the huge power of the Australian. If Mitchell tries to match Katsidis punch for punch, this fight will end quickly with Katsidis pounding Mitchell into the canvas. This is why I think Mitchell is going to run all night long and look to survive rather than matching the powerful Katsidis.
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