By James Slater: Both British lightweights, John Murray and Kevin Mitchell, have an eye on World Boxing Association (WBA) 135-pound champ Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, but before either guy can afford to look that far ahead they have each other to cope with tomorrow night in Liverpool (with the star quality card also featuring Ricky Burns-Nicky Cook, Frankie Gavin-Curtis Woodhouse and, possibly the best of the lot, Tony Bellew-Ovill McKenzie II).
Murray, 26-years-old and unbeaten at 31-0(18) and Mitchell, the same age but once-beaten at 31-1(23) have wanted to get at one another for a while now. Twice tomorrow night’s fight was postponed, but at last the bitter domestic rivals can get it on. Contesting the vacant WBO inter-continental bauble they may be, but each man’s very career is on the line, and chances of ruling the world are also at stake.
Both guys have a pleasing style, although Mitchell, as he proved in out-boxing the dangerous Breidis Prescott for his biggest pro win, has matured into a thinking fighter these days. Murray, like the younger version of Mitchell, loves a war each and every time out and he tends to ignore the more subtle side of the game – will this prove his undoing tomorrow?
But if Murray is guilty of fighting without using his head at times, his success cannot be ignored or disputed. A genuine fighting machine who possesses seemingly limitless stamina, the new Manchester hero (replacing Ricky Hatton as the city’s new legend?) can be forgiven for letting his heart rule his head in the ring. Never in a bad fight, Murray is ready to let it all out against Londoner Mitchell.
Mitchell, some say, should have taken a tune-up before agreeing to this fight (but did he have the option/luxury?). After all, “Mighty Mitchell” has not fought since being dismantled inside three-rounds by Australia’s Michael Katsidis last May. If Mitchell’s self confidence has been permanently dented, Murray will make him endure painful flashbacks of that maiden defeat. Some fighters as we know, are never the same after losing for the first time. Mitchell has to prove he is not as fighter destined for that category.
As I’ve said, Mitchell is the better, cuter boxer, and he may have it in him to be able to teach Murray a few lessons tomorrow night. But will the possibly mentally stronger Murray simply break his rival’s heart in there? Murray can be expected to fight the way he always does: hard, fast and with passion. Mitchell, such is his genuine dislike for the Mancunian, may opt to stand and go to war with him as the two trade. Or maybe Mitchell will be drawn into a dog fight.
This one could be a fight in a phone booth, or it could be a case of Murray doing his best to hunt down an elusive, frustrating target. But rest assured, unless he has suffered far more than we have known from the Katsidis loss, on a mental aspect, Mitchell will be looking to unload plenty of leather as he boxes and uses his considerable skills.
A long and hard battle seems almost guaranteed, and a case can be made for either guy winning. I expect to see both guys give their all, come out marked up and on the verge of exhaustion, after 12 gruelling rounds. For me, it will be Murray who has his hands raised after 12 hellish rounds.