Kevin Mitchell says his fight with rival John Murray could be like a Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns brawl when they meet next month. Dagenham scrapper Mitchell is gearing up for his all-on-the line showdown against the Manchester ace at the ExCeL London, on July 9th, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
This will be Mitchell’s first fight since his world title loss against Michael Katsidis last May at Upton Park, and he believes he will have to go to war with Murray – just like his American idols did over 25 years ago.
The opening round of the 1985 showdown between Hagler and Hearns in Las Vegas is regarded as the most explosive three minutes ever seen in a championship ring, that Hagler went on to famously win.
Mitchell, 26, said, “I’ll stand and trade with Murray in the centre of the ring, I’m not training to box him, I’m training to have a fight with him,”
“Murray only knows how to come forward throwing bombs and I don’t plan on taking any steps backwards either so it could end up being a war,”
“I’ve seen the Hagler-Hearns classic many times and it’s the most devastating fight I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t be surprised if our fight ended up like that, with me emerging the winner like Hagler.
The vacant WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title is on the line with the winner looking at a world title opportunity, but Mitchell is focused on Murray instead of titles.
He added, “I’ve dedicated myself to this fight and there’s been no messing about from me. Everything is on the line for me, my career and future so the only thing on my mind is beating Murray.
“This isn’t just about titles or a world title shot, there is a lot more at stake. We’ve both got egos, pride, and there’s the North-South rivarly, but we both believe that we are the best in the division.
“I’m out to prove that I’m number one and I’ve got a lot to make up for after I was beat by Katsidis, I’m giving it back to my family, fans and friends, they know what the real Kevin Mitchell is like and they will see him against Murray.”
Tickets for North ‘n South are available now, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, from 0844 844 0444 or ticketmaster.co.uk
Joe Murray vs. George Gachechiladze on June 18th
JOE MURRAY will be boxing clever when he challenges for his first professional title. The 2008 Olympian meets George Gachechiladze for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight youth title at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena on Saturday (18th June).
‘Genius’ Joe has quietly made progress learning his trade on the undercard of Hatton Promotions bills winning all ten professional fights.
The tough Georgian, 24, has won eight of his 14 bouts and last November gave Rhys Roberts a tough night before going down on points.
Hatton Promotions President Ricky Hatton said: “Joe still has some way to go, but he is desperate to become a professional champion and this is the perfect opportunity.
“This is his biggest test as a professional so far and while Gachechiladze may not be world class he is a very capable international fighter who will come to win.
“I confidently expect Joe to pick up what will be the first of many titles under the Hatton Promotions banner.
“It will be a tremendous learning experience and I think he will have to go the distance before getting his raised.
“I will never ever forget the first time I went 12 rounds, against Jon Thaxton. I was cut it was tough, but that win helped prepare me for the tough world title fight that lay ahead.
“The same applies to Joe and he will be a much better fighter for the experience.”
In the main event, ticket seller Martin Murray bids to capture his third professional title when he meets Trowbridge youngster Nick Blackwell for vacant British middleweight title.
The world ranked St Helens fighter will also be risking his WBA inter-continental crown and Commonwealth belt
British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla challenges Ghanaian southpaw Osumanu Akaba for the vacant WBA inter-continental lightweight title.
Prospects on the undercard include Adam Little who faces Junior Thompson and Chris Male who will be tested by Dai Davies.
Tickets for this big night of title action are available £35, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222
CANELO ALVAREZ VS. RYAN RHODES AND ADRIEN BRONER VS. JASON LITZAU IS SEEN SATURDAY, JUNE 18
HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise goes south of the border for an action-packed doubleheader when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: CANELO ALVAREZ VS. RYAN RHODES AND ADRIEN BRONER VS. JASON LITZAU is seen SATURDAY, JUNE 18 at 10:30 p.m. (live ET/ taped-delayed PT), from the Arena Vicente Fernandez Gomez (VFG) in Guadalajara, Mexico, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.
Other HBO playdates: June 19 (10:15 a.m.) and 20 (1:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: June 19 (3:00 p.m.) and 21 (11:00 p.m.)
The main event features one of boxing’s brightest young stars, as 20-year-old phenom Canelo Alvarez (36-0-1, 26 KOs) defends his super welterweight title for the first time against powerhouse Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31 KOs), from Sheffield, United Kingdom in a scheduled 12-round bout. Riding a tidal wave of momentum after his unanimous decision victory over Matthew Hatton to claim a title belt in March, Alvarez wants to prove he is poised to become one of boxing’s elite. When he steps into the ring in front of hometown fans, Alvarez will likely look to wear down ring veteran Rhodes with his notoriously quick combinations of punches and a steady dose of youthful energy.
At age 34, southpaw Rhodes has seen just about everything there is to see in the ring and will likely draw on his experience to outmaneuver, outstrategize and outbox his younger and faster foe, arguably presenting Alvarez with the toughest test of his career to date.
Kicking off the night will be an electrifying junior lightweight bout featuring undefeated Adrien Broner (20-0, 16 KOs), out of Cincinnati, going toe-to-toe with Jason Litzau (28-2, 21 KOs) of St. Paul in a scheduled ten-round bout. Coming off a hard-earned victory over Daniel Ponce De Leon in his last HBO appearance, the flashy Broner seeks to prove that triumph was not a fluke and is a force to be reckoned with in the 130-pound ranks. Litzau, who scored a stirring win over Celestino Caballero last November on HBO, is sure to ignite the crowd with his explosive punch combinations and determination.
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The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Mike Sheehan.
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