By Sean McDaniel: Unbeaten lightweight contender John Murray (31-0, 18 KO’s) is counting on getting an impressive win over Kevin Mitchell (31-1, 23 KO’s) on Saturday night in order to get a huge fight against WBA World lightweight champion Brandon Rios next. The chances are good that Murray will beat Mitchell on Saturday night, but a fight against Rios could be a little more difficult to land at this time.

Rios is in demand and Murray still isn’t a huge name on the world stage. Murray can help himself in department by beating Mitchell in an impressive manner that leaves no doubt. That may be easier said than done, however, because Mitchell is an excellent fighter with superb boxing skills.

If he’s not rusty from a year of inactivity, Murry could find himself in a real dog fight where he might not emerge as the winner unless he can land something big enough to take Mitchell out. To be sure, Mitchell was stopped in his last fight a year ago against Michael Katsidis in a third round stoppage in May 2010. However, Katsidis is faster and a much more explosive fighter compared to Murray, and Mitchell does against fighters when he can see their punches coming.

Against Murray, Mitchell should be able to track his punches without any problems and either block or dodge them or brace for the impact. Mitchell has good power in his own right and a nice jab. If he can use his feet and box Murray, he could in theory pound out a decision. But it comes down to whether his stamina will hold up and whether his chin is up to the mark in this one.

Murray won’t stand much of a chance against Rios if and when he gets the fight with him. There’s a huge gap in talent between Rios and Murray, and I can’t see anything good coming from this fight for Murray other than a nice payday.