by James Slater – There is no doubt about it; a clash between Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell would be a hugely welcomed super-fight here in the U.K. And, talking today on BBC Sport, the two talented boxers each verbally welcomed such a match-up. Or, to put it another, more accurate way, Khan and Mitchell have both spoken of how they will never actually face each other. According to Mitchell, Khan fears him, and according to Khan, promoter Frank Warren would not want to risk his fighter being bested by a fighter from a different promotional outfit..
As fans know, Khan was once promoted by Warren, only to leave and sign with the huge Golden Boy outfit in America. Mitchell, on the other hand, swears he will be loyal to Warren, and the unbeaten star – who faces tough Aussie Michael Katsidis for the WBO’s interim lightweight title the same night that Khan defends his WBA light-welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi – says he would stop Khan if he ever got the opportunity.
Both men were at one time good friends, yet now it seems they both have a point to prove over the other.
“I’d fancy it,” Khan said of a clash with Mitchell. “But I don’t think they would – Mitchell is Frank Warren’s golden boy and I think they want to keep it that way. Frank wouldn’t want one of his fighters to get beat by a guy from a different camp.
“If it did happen, I’d definitely beat him, no doubt about it. He’s a good fighter but it would just be a case of hit and move.”
Not surprisingly, Mitchell – who, of course, recently out-pointed Breidis Prescott, the only man to have KO’d Khan – fired back with venom.
“I’d want it, but Amir wouldn’t – he’s been found out,” Mitchell told BBC. “Khan knows the score – he’s a good boy and a nice boxer but I think everyone knows now in the boxing world what he’s about. He took Paulie Malignaggi instead of his number-one mandatory (Marcos Maidana).
“It’s been proven, anyone who can half-punch, Khan’s vulnerable against and Maidana can proper punch. He’s got an easier opponent than me on May 15th, definitely, a non-puncher, an old boy and someone who Ricky Hatton beat two years ago.”
Though Mitchell made some good points whilst verbally attacking Khan – and this fight, if it is made, really would be a great one – it seems as though Mitchell annoyed the wrong guy! Reading what Mitchell had to say about Khan and his upcoming fight, Paulie Malignaggi took umbrage at what the Londoner had to say about how Khan will face “an old boy, non-puncher.”
Replying via his Twitter page, “The Magic Man” had the following message for the unbeaten Mitchell.
“Kevin Mitchell wants to say my name?” Malignaggi said. “You’ve got something to say? Say it to my face. This is the only time you’re going to be famous, when Paulie Malignaggi mentions your name. You’ve been cuddled more than Khan has, man. Talking about you’re in a tougher fight – you’re fighting a human punching bag, man. If you can’t beat a punching bag you might as well retire! Because you suck!!
“So, watch your mouth Chump. Wishes do come true, ask Amir Khan. But I make dreams turn into nightmares. So worry about your fight and Katsidis.”
There it is then; we now have a nice and most genuine-looking rivalry going on in the 140-pound division – verbally at least (although Mitchell is at present a 135-pounder). And as such, it seems that whoever wins on May 15th – Khan or Malignaggi – the winner has an ideal next opponent in Kevin Mitchell! If, of course, Mitchell can get past the dangerous “punching Bag” that is Michael Katsidis.