By William Mackay: In the aftermath of previously unbeaten Kevin Mitchell’s 3rd round stoppage loss to World Boxing Organization lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis last weekend, there are some people saying that the 25-year-old Mitchell lost because he used the wrong tactics in the fight, that he made the mistake of trying to slug with Katsidis in the 3rd round and lost because of that. However, I’m not so sure that was the case. In looking at the fight on replay, it looked like Mitchell was fighting smart the whole time, using his powerful jab to keep Katsidis on the outside and avoiding any real exchanges with him.

In the 3rd round, Katsidis hurt Mitchell within seconds of the start of the round after loading up on a big left hook that staggered Mitchell, sending him retreating backwards towards the ropes. Mitchell didn’t even have time to slug with Katsidis in the round because he was hurt with one of the first punches that Katsidis threw in the round. I think Mitchell would have had problems with Katsidis’ power regardless of how he chose to fight. It just looked as if Katsidis was far too powerful for Mitchell to handle on that night, and even if Mitchell had ran like the wind, he would have probably hit with a big shot sooner or later in the fight.

Mitchell made it a little easier for Katsidis by attempting to land a shot at the start of the round. This comes down to experience or lack thereof for Mitchell. Had he known that his chin is a little shaky, he might have stayed well clear of Katsidis and used his jab to do most of the work. I think he would have been crushed at some point by Katsidis, but I think Mitchell would have lasted a little while longer by fighting this way.

Mitchell says that this loss was a wake-up signal for him and that he plans on being more focused in the future while training for his fights. Mitchell thinks he can still win a world title in the future, but he doesn’t say at what weight level. Mitchell may have problems getting better if he can’t take punishment. Katsidis is a big puncher, but there are other big punchers in the division who have power similar to Katsidis, so it won’t get easier for Mitchell just because he plans on working harder.