Kevin Mitchell will face Ismael Barroso for the WBA Interim Lightweight title at The O2 in London on December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The clash takes Mitchell back to the scene of his epic WBC World title clash with Jorge Linares in May, and the popular Londoner will need to be at his very best at the sold-out venue against the visitor.
Read moreMitchell faces Barroso for WBA Interim title at The O2
Matchroom Sport’s unbeaten London 2012 gold medalist Luke Campbell (12-0,10ko) has been added to the December 12th Anthony Joshua/Dillian Whyte bill, with a promise that the lightweight star will be in a big fight on the night, quite possibly in a WBC title eliminator against Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell.
Campbell (WBC #8) was last seen at the beginning of August, outclassing domestic rival Tommy Coyle en route to earning a 10th round stoppage, picking up the lightly regarded WBC international 135 lb strap in the process and improving his ranking with the Mexico-based governing body.
Read moreLuke Campbell/Kevin Mitchell Possible for ‘Bad Intentions’ Card
George Groves isn’t going to be the only British fighter hoping that 4th time’s a charm in world title tilts, as Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell – set to return on December 12th against a TBA opponent – is also looking to work his way back into a similar position.
Mitchell was on the losing end of a heroic effort back in May, in a WBC 135 lb title challenge against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, dropping “El Nino” in the 5th round of an action packed fight, before incurring a grotesque eye injury (pictured) that impeded his vision, hitting the deck himself in the 10th and being waved off as he rose to his feet, the life drained out of him.
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.
Read moreJorge Linares Snubs Kevin Mitchell Rematch / Fighting Ivan Cano in Venezuela
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.
Read moreKevin Mitchell To Get Possible Shot At Redemption Against Jorge Linares?
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.
Read moreThe Heart Of A Lion : Is There A Way Back For Kevin Mitchell?
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.
Read moreBrook stops Gavin; Joshua beats Johnson; Selby wins; Linares defeats Mitchell
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.
Read moreKevin Mitchell Credits Matchroom For Resurgence / Focused On Linares
As boxing fans – be it writers, ticket buyers or the fighters themselves, we are all interested in good, solid, competitive and meaningful fights – as often as is humanly possible – preferably as part of our normal Sky package, terrestrial TV or even on a specific subscription fight channel like Boxnation – who provide the very best international content from America and beyond, week in, week out.
After a barrage of criticism over the quality of their ‘regular’ domestic cards and the decision to make ANY card of championship quality a PPV – I’m beginning to wonder just how well the buy rate is doing for this Saturday’s ‘Rule Brittannia’ show from London’s O2 – that in my eyes, is one of the very best British fight cards in a good long while.
Read more‘Rule Britannia’ : Best UK Card In Years Being Mis-Sold / Preview & Predictions
