03.02.04 – Boxing wonderboy KEVIN MITCHELL aims to surpass Nigel Benn’s 12 unbeaten fights in his first year as a professional – all by knockout. The 19-year-old sensation recorded his fourth win by stunning KO over Jaz Virdee earlier this month and moves quickly to have his next fight this Saturday (7 February) at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.
Benn, Mitchell’s ring idol, won the ABA Middleweight title in 1986 and then blitzed his way through the domestic division in 1987, as a professional, by knocking out all 12 opponents early. He then went on to knock out the next 10 opponents before his run ended in classic encounter against Michael Watson.
So far ‘Mighty’ Mitchell has gone four fights unbeaten all by KO. He won last year’s ABA Featherweight Senior title in his first attempt – becoming one of the youngest ever. He turned professional in blaze of publicity last year and is now rated as one of the hottest young talent on the British scene.
The Dagenham lad said, “I’ve already been compared to a young Nigel Benn which is a real honor as he went on to become one of the greatest fighters to come out of this country.
“I’ve looked at Benn’s fight record and his first two years were incredible it seems he was just knocking people out for fun. I would love to emulate this or go one better by beating his 12 KO’s in his first year. It’s still early days in my career and I’ve got a long long way to go but I like to set myself small targets in the short term and this is one of them.
“When I was growing up Benn was my hero, I loved his all-action, dynamite-punching, style and have modeled my own style around his. I have all of his fights on video and watch them before going to the gym where I can try out some of the things I have seen him do in the ring. I love the way he lands the big right hand and left hooks and also the way he hunted his opponents in the ring.” Finished Mitchell.
Promoter Frank Warren enthused, “Kevin reminds me a lot of Nigel. He generates the same excitement and buzz as when Nigel fought. Without a doubt he is the most exciting young talent in Britain at the moment. London has missed out on big-time boxing in recent years but a special talent like Kevin can bring it back.”