By Scott Gilfoid: I knew they’d start coming out of the woodwork after last Saturday’s fight, but didn’t think it would start so fast. Check this out. Lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell (32-1, 24 KO’s) wasn’t impressed with what he saw from former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO’s) last Saturday night in his 11th round TKO win over John Murray (31-2, 18 KO’s).

Mitchell, 27, also stopped Murray but did a lot better job of going it by taking him out in the 8th and not getting hit that much. Mitchell thinks he could take are of Rios without any problems if given the chance.

Mitchell said to the guardian.co.uk “It’s very clear to see I’d have no troubles with Rios. I’ve watched quite a bit of Rios. He loves it his own way, loves a bit of a tear up. He’s quite ferocious, but leaves himself very open at times…I would make him miss then pay.

It was meant to be my fight.”
It was supposed to have been Mitchell’s fight, but he couldn’t make it to the United States. Now all Mitchell do is wonder how he would have done, because Rios is moving up to light welterweight because he can’t make lightweight anymore. His promoter Bob Arum reportedly wants to match Rios with unbeaten light welterweight contender Mike Alvarado next.

Mitchell will be left behind in the lightweight division to try and go after one of the belts. It’s too bad he’s not ranked in the top 15 by the World Boxing Association because he could then go after the vacant title that was stripped from Rios.

Mitchell is ranked #3 by the WBO, and should be looking to fight WBO lightweight interim champion Ricky Burns instead of weeping over spilled milk. He missed his chance and it’s done with. Besides, Rios would destroy Mitchell, even the weight-drained version of Rios that stopped Murray. Mitchell would get taken out no problem, just like he did in his loss to Michael Katsidis.