After their thrilling fight back in May resulted in a heroic Kevin Mitchell (39-3, 29ko) getting stopped in the tenth round (despite being up on two scorecards), WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares (39-3, 26ko) has snubbed a rematch with the Englishman, and will fight unheralded Mexican Ivan Cano (23-6-2) on October 18th instead.
It was made clear in the immediate aftermath of May’s fight that Linares would be returning to Venezuela to make his next defence, and his team were thought to be open to the possibility of a second fight with the Dagenham man.
Going into his world title challenge on May 30th against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, likable Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell had to convince a lot of people that he really could perform when it was all on the line. After disappointing and emphatic stoppage losses in prior world title challenges on the big stage – against Michael Katsidis for an interim strap in 2010 and then again 2 years later against Ricky Burns – there were still serious questions about the Londoner’s desire and commitment, despite his career rejuvenation under the Matchroom promotional banner over the last couple of years.
Those questions were answered by a lion-hearted Mitchell in a thrilling fight in which both men touched down – however Linares would be the man to eventually prevail, securing a 10th round stoppage, aided in part by a horrific eye swelling that had blighted Mitchell’s face.
Those that witnessed it saw something special last Saturday when Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell tragically fell short of his world title dream against Venezuelan WBC champ Jorge Linares, when he was stopped at the end of the 10th round after giving an heroic account of himself – flooring the champion along the way and sustaining an horrific eye injury from an earlier clash of heads.
For those that had doubted whether Mitchell truly belonged at top level, things became a little clearer given his performance. In a thrilling contest, at the time of the stoppage, Mitchell was up on 2 of the cards and things were level on the third. A fitting testament to the drama that left those in attendance and watching at home crying out for more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
