Kevin Mitchell’s title dreams in shatters
It looked like the stars had aligned for Kevin Mitchell on Saturday. Fighting at his beloved West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground, “The Dagenham Destroyer” was backed by an army of fans. All that stood in the way of him and the WBO lightweight interim belt was Michael Katsidis.
However, like a ball of clichéd wool, Mitchell’s dreams unravelled before him. He looked overawed by the occasion and at times appeared out of his depth while his opponent Katsidis was like a rabid rottweiler.
On paper this looked like it was going to be a good old fashioned tear up. Both fighters love taking it to the inside and slugging it out, Mitchell built his reputation on his love of going toe-to-toe, where Katsidis relishes a slug so much his only form of defence is more attack.
Mitchell was priced by some bookmakers at 1-2 and was by far the clear favourite to win this bout, but the tell-tale signs of an upset were apparent from the fighter’s entrances. Mitchell came out chasing balloons while Katsidis strode to the ring dressed as a Greek gladiator; one of those images is far scarier than the other.
As the bell for the start of the fight sounded, Katsidis was straining at the leash. It was almost as if he couldn’t wait to get at Mitchell and get stuck in, like a tramp that has discovered the keys to a McDonalds.
The two endured a cagey start before Katsidis decided to turn party pooper and force Mitchell to defend. It was the Australian who had the better of the opening stanza forcing Mitchell around the ring while “Mighty” tried to land a few punches, but looked like he was treading water.
The second round went a bit better for the local hero as he started to rally having taken a few big hits from Katsidis. He finally landed a few as the title holder came forward but it didn’t seem to stop the relentless Katsidis and Mitchell began frequently finding himself battling against the ropes. The Dagenham Destroyer was looking for the combinations but he simply couldn’t keep Katsidis at bay who kept pouring forward like a tidal wave.
It was all action and very apparent that this fight would not be going the distance. In fact, it didn’t even go further than the third round. Katsidis cunningly lured Mitchell into a false sense of security and unleashed a combination that Mitchell didn’t recover from.
Everybody knows that going toe-to-toe with Katsidis is not a wise decision; however Mitchell has always been a big hitter himself who relishes a tight battle, as Katsidis enticed him in you felt this was going to go one of two ways. Unfortunately for Mitchell, he found himself hustled by the more experienced slugger who landed some leg wobbling shots and the Destroyer was in trouble.
With Mitchell still reeling from the combination, Katsidis got him against the ropes where he could do some damage and cracked him with a left handed fizzer of a hook. Mitchell remained on his feet but he had nothing left in the tank as the shots poured in from Katsidis who sensed blood. Mitchell blindly stumble along the ropes before feeling the embrace of referee Dave Parris, who felt that he was no longer able to defend himself.
This was a disaster for Mitchell. However all credit has to go to Katsidis who was outstanding. He looked in as good a condition as he has ever been in, apparently training in the hot climate of Thailand for three months in preparation.
In comparison rumours have been rife that Mitchell hasn’t been putting the hours in. Talks of late nights out and family problems have spread from his camp and it is understood that his trainer Jimmy Tibbs and promoter Frank Warren were far from pleased with their prospects attitude to his training camp.
That’s no excuse though because it’s still a defeat no matter how you look at it. Where Mitchell goes now it’s hard to say. The all British super-fight between him and Amir Khan is either more or less likely now, depending on how you look at it. A defeat makes him less of a threat but also less of a name, most likely John Murray would be a good shout as a top competitor and the chance for Mitchell to restore some respect by beating another top British lightweight prospect.
On Saturday night Mitchell hoped to make a name for himself and beat Katsidis at Upton Park and launch himself of the world scene.
Unfortunately for him it wasn’t a case of blowing bubbles but one of blowing chances as Mitchell’s dreams fade and die.
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