By Scott Gilfoid: It’s reported that Kevin Mitchell (32-1, 24 KO’s) will be the next opponent for World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Brandon Rios (28-0-1, 21 KO’s) on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although it’s not a done deal yet, it’s been reported by number of sites that Rios will be defending against 26-year-old Mitchell.

Michael Katsidis had been talked about as being the next opponent for Rios, which seemed like a really bad idea given that Katsidis has lost his last two fights. However, Mitchell is arguably an even worse opponent considering he was destroyed by Katsidis a year ago. But it pretty much amounts to the same thing in terms of mismatches. Rios will destroy Mitchell both of these guys, but with Mitchell the destruction will likely be a lot faster.

Mitchell didn’t have to do much to get this fight. He was destroyed by Katsidis in a third round knockout last year, and then sat around and did nothing until taking on beating the over-hyped lightweight contender John Murray in an 8th round TKO on July 16th. Murray was ranked highly at the time, and obviously way too high given that he had never fought a top tier opponent during his career. All Mitchell did was expose Murray in the same way that Katsidis exposed Mitchell.

It’s disappointing that Rios is facing a weak opponent like Mitchell. I’m much prefer to see Rios take on someone that can at least him like a rematch against Miguel Acosta or fights against Jorge Linares or Mercito Gesta. But to pick Mitchell out off of his meaningless win over the inexperienced Murray, it’s so sad. Mitchell is way, way over his head in this fight and it’s going to be a miracle if he makes it to the 3rd round. If Katsidis can destroy Mitchell in three rounds just imagine what Rios will do to him. I’d rather Mitchell at least prove himself worthy of this fight by taking on and beating someone like Urbano Antillon, Acosta, Gesta or Katsidis. Beating Murray hardly counts in my view.