The Heart Of A Lion : Is There A Way Back For Kevin Mitchell?

05/31/2015 Olly Campbell

Sadly it was not to be once more for Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell last night – but after a brave and spirited performance – and third crack at a world title – the affable Londoner is left wondering where he can next go from here, with opposing views as to the future of the East London fighter.

Mitchell and Linares were always going to be the most intriguing fight on the card for me due to each man’s high skill level and individual frailties – and the bout did not disappoint in terms of action and excitement.

Brook stops Gavin; Joshua beats Johnson; Selby wins; Linares defeats Mitchell

06/02/201505/30/2015 Rob Smith

IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) did what he had to do in destroying his opponent Frankie Gavin (22-2, 13 KOs) in six rounds on Saturday night in retaining his IBF 147lb title at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Brook landed a nice right hand that hurt Gavin. Brook then unloaded his artillery on Gavin until he slumped into the ropes.

Referee Steve Gray stopped the bout at that point without a count. The fight, if you want to call it that, was stopped at 2:51 of the 6th. Gavin was too hurt to continue. The referee would have done him a huge favor if he’d stopped the bout a couple of rounds earlier because this was never a fight to begin with.

Kevin Mitchell Credits Matchroom For Resurgence / Focused On Linares

05/29/201505/28/2015 Olly Campbell

For many, Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell is one of the most likable characters in British boxing – and at times has been one of the most frustrating to follow the career of – notably in his two crushing defeats to Michael Katsidis at Frank Warren’s massive Upton Park show in 2010 and then again in his second heavy loss to Scotland’s Ricky Burns in 2012 which was ostensibly the end of him at the time.

It’s been well documented that a party lifestyle and the distractions of both fame and money were responsible for the past hiccups in a stop-start career – that has enjoyed a resurgence under promoter Eddie Hearn and trainer Tony Sims – and it culminates Saturday in his challenge to dangerous Venezuelan WBC champion, Jorge Linares.

Mitchell v Linares : Kevin Ready But De La Hoya Backs His Man Linares

05/26/2015 Olly Campbell

Eddie Hearn’s bumper triple world title card from the O2 finally lands this weekend – and arguably the best and most meaningful fight on the bill is Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell (39-2, 29ko) hoping to finally get it right on the world stage, when he fights dangerous Venezuelan Jorge Linares (38-3, 25ko) who is promoted by Mexican-American legend Oscar De La Hoya – for the South American’s WBC lightweight title.

The fight may well represent something of a final chance for the affable Londoner, who on his day can mix it with the very best of them – yet on the 2 prior occasions he has stepped up to world level – Michael Katsidis (WBO interim – 2010) and Ricky Burns (WBO – 2012) he has been found wanting and ended up getting stopped both times.

Jorge Linares decisions Velazquez, and Yoshihiro Kamegai draws with Silva

09/14/201610/07/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron – On Saturday night, October 6th, at the classic Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California, Don Chargin Productions & Paco Presents Boxing staged a memorable eight bout fight card, which was headlined by the return of two division world champion Jorge Linares (32-3, 20 KOs) and the Japanese KO artist, Welterweight Yoshihiro Kamegai (21-0-1, 18 KOs).

In the co-main event of the evening and the first bout on the Fox Sports televised portion of the fight card, Jorge Linares was tested by rugged Lightweight gatekeeper Hector Velazquez (52-18-3, 35 KOs) for ten action filled rounds.

The featured bout marked Linares’ first contest since being stopped on cuts in the 2nd round by hard punching Sergio Thompson of Cancun, Mexico on March 31st of this year.

Although the hard-nosed Velazquez pressed the talented young fighter from start to finish, “El Nino de Oro” showed flashes of brilliance throughout the entire contest.

Despite getting cut over his left eye in the fourth round and being hammered occasionally by the Velazquez right hand, the gifted Venezuelan sharpshooter scored often with clean, effective punching and crisp, precise counters to the body and head of the 37 year old Mexican fight veteran.

After the ten rounds of competition concluded, the judges at ringside scored the bout 100-89, 99-91, and 97-91, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Jorge Linares.

Jorge Linares attempts to jumpstart his career on October 6th

09/14/201610/05/2012 ESB

By Joseph Herron: Almost three years ago to the day, a young talent from Venezuela was the toast of the boxing world. Despite fighting almost exclusively in Tokyo, Japan, throughout the first five years of his professional career, Jorge Linares had already become a two division world champion and had entered the elite level discussion among fight scribes at the tender age of 24.

The heralded young fighter was making his second WBA World Super Featherweight title defense against tough Mexican prospect Juan Carlos Salgado, who was undefeated with a 20-0-1, 15 KO record. Although Salgado was a respected young fighter, he wasn’t considered to be a legitimate threat to the “Golden Boy’s” crown.

Jorge’s combination of natural athleticism and technical brilliance made him the favorite in most proposed match-ups at 130 pounds, and his title defense on October 10th, 2009, was no exception in the eyes of the boxing world.

At 27-0 with 19 knock-outs, the sky was the limit for the fighter most affectionately known as “El Nino de Oro”.