By Ryan Allan: Home town favorite Kevin Mitchell will be hoping to make it 3rd time lucky in his bid to win a world title as he challenges the Venezuelan and 3 time World Champion Jorge Linares.

Mitchell lost badly in his 2 previous challenges, being stopped first by Aussie Michael Katsidis in 3 rounds before a 4th round stoppage to Scotland’s Ricky Burns derailed his 2nd attempt to win a world title but I have a feeling this will be Mitchell’s moment against a sometime vulnerable Linares.

Linares has been stopped 3 times already in his career and while he carries a strong reputation, Mitchell definitely has the tools and finally the dedication required to fulfill his dream.

This is a genuine “pick em” fight, in other words, a 50/50 battle but I’m picking the Londoner to finally claim the title with plenty of in the know fighters and pundits believing that Mitchell has finally dedicated himself to his craft and that world honors will be his reward.

Mitchell himself has spoken about a “party boy” lifestyle that left him under-prepared for his 2 previous title challenges and if he has indeed “screwed the nut” as we say in Scotland, then I believe he will get the win he craves.

Method of victory is harder to call but given that Linares has been stopped 3 times previously, and Mitchell twice, then perhaps a KO victory could be on the cards here. Only 2 of Linares last 11 fights have seen the 12 rounds and with 3 KO defeats, 2 of which came in the 1st round, there could be a vulnerability to the Venezuelan that Mitchell can take advantage of.

Lee Selby v Evegeny Gradovich – Prediction – Selby to win on points

Known as the “Welsh Mayweather”, Lee Selby is taking his first shot at a world title against the unbeaten champion from Russia in a fight that promises to be a real clash of styles.

The Russian likes to throw a lot of punches while Selby, as the nickname suggests is more of a mover with the hit and not getting hit mantra the one he follows inside the ring and with the Russian’s world title on the line, we should see a really entertaining battle between 2 different styles.

I can’t pretend to be an expert on either fighter so I will probably give this one a miss in terms of major bets but if I had to stick my neck out, and I usually do, I would back a points win for the Brit who seems to have the skills to pay the bills.

It should be a terrific night of boxing at Wembley with plenty of action, so make sure to tune in at 2000 CET on Sky Box Office.