by James Slater – Colombian banger Breidis Prescott’s main claim to boxing fame remains his stunning 1st-round KO of current WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan. So much so that on BoxRec’s listing of the 26-year-old, the nickname section has the moniker of “Khanqueror” next to Prescott.
However, as impressive and as important as that September 2008 win was for the long-armed slugger, he has not yet built on it.. Having fought just twice since he annihilated Khan – winning one and losing the other – Prescott has been something of a disappointment. But there are two interesting fights in the pipeline for the lightweight who has also boxed at light-welter.
According to Frank Warren’s official web site, the promoter is currently working on setting up a world title eliminator between Prescott and reigning British super-featherweight champion Kevin Mitchell. No date or venue has yet been announced, and the weight the fight will take place at will presumably be 135-pounds, although this is not a definite. According to BoxRec, Prescott will first meet unbeaten Russian Ruslan Provodnikov for the vacant WBO inter-continental light-welterweight title on November 28th. While still down at 130-pounds, 25-year-old Mitchell, 29-0(22) will defend his British belt against Ricky Burns on the December 5th Khan-Dmitriy Salita card.
Presumably, if both men win these upcoming fights, they will then meet, more than likely at lightweight, in a eliminator for an as yet unannounced version of the world title (Warren’s site have no further details as of yet.)
At 5’8″ Mitchell is tall enough to be able to make the move up to lightweight and have a realistic chance of competing there. But a fight with the big puncher from Colombia sure would be a big risk. But the rewards, too, would be huge. Not only will Mitchell have earned a crack at a world belt if he beats Prescott, he will also have gone one better than hotshot Khan and restored British pride with a win over the 21-1(18) bomber.
Mitchell has come back well after a series of injuries kept him out of the ring for almost a year in 2008 and 2009, winning two in a row since his return in May of this year. Can he now get past Scotland’s Burns and then make the move up to 135-pounds? Sure to be hugely motivated for a fight with Prescott, the exciting warrior from Essex would be engaging in the biggest fight of his now six-year pro career. Having given up the Commonwealth 130-pound title, Mitchell might be ready for the step up to world level.
Frank Warren seems to think so. Let’s hope both Prescott and Mitchell come through their upcoming bouts, and then meet in a fascinating match-up next year. Very possibly in the U.K.