By Scott Gilfoid: Lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell (31-1, 23 KO’s) plans on returning to action in March in a tune-up fight to get warmed up for bigger fights. Mitchell, 26, hasn’t seen action since being blown out in three rounds last year in May against Michael Katsidis. Mitchell blames his defeat to Katsidis on an eye injury, and said that he’s since had surgery to correct the problem.
In an interview at the Main Event Radio Show, Mitchell said “I had an eye injury before Katsidis fight and thought it was ok, but it came back during the fight and I split my eye muscle. I had the operation done and hope to be back after getting my [boxing] license back. John Murray would be a good domestic fight and could fill any stadium. We could do it in Birmingham, meet each other half way, but the one I really want is Katsidis back.
Mitchell came into Katsidis fight as a favorite in the minds of many boxing experts. However, Mitchell made the mistake of trying to trade with the faster, more powerful Katsidis and soon found himself in deep trouble after Katsidis hurt Mitchell with some powerful left hooks. Mitchell then lost his composure completely and turned his back on Katsidis in an amateurish way and covered up in a cowering sort of way while Katsidis bombarded him with punches until the referee stopped the fight. Moments earlier, the referee had stepped in and saved Mitchell when he turned and was taking big shots from Katsidis. He got a brief break but Katsidis resumed his bombardment of Mitchell when the action was resumed and the mismatch was quickly stopped.
A rematch between Mitchell and Katsidis would be a bad idea. Katsidis is too fast, too powerful and too aggressive for Mitchell. The rematch would be no different than the original fight, I’m afraid. Mitchell is better off going after the slow as molasses Murray. I actually think Mitchell could win that fight, but that’s not saying much because I don’t rate Murray. It would do well in the UK and probably sell out a stadium, but a win for Mitchell wouldn’t mean that he’s in the class of Katsidis, Juan Manuel Marquez or Humberto Soto. I’d rather see Mitchell in a rematch against Breidis Prescott in a neutral country. I had Prescott being Mitchell nine rounds to three in their fight in December 2009.
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