by James Slater – Kevin Mitchell, the unbeaten 25-year-old from Dagenham, is taking a big risk in his next fight, set for December 5th in Newcastle. Already the number-one contender with the WBO at super-featherweight, the man who has captured the British and Commonwealth 130-pound belts is moving up to risk everything against lightweight banger Bredis Prescott. The hugely intriguing fight will take place as chief support to the Amir Khan-Dmitriy Salita WBA light-welterweight title fight, and the support bout could well turn out to be the fight of the evening. At stake will be the number-one spot with the WBO at 135-pounds, and Mitchell fully believes he can do what Khan couldn’t, and beat the dangerous puncher from Colombia with the impressive 21-1(18) record..
Had the 25-year-old with the 29-0(22) pro record remained at super-featherweight (where he was originally supposed to have met Scotland’s Ricky Burns on the December bill in Newcastle) his shot at the WBO strap would have come in time. However, Mitchell has struggled to make 130-pounds for some time now, and sensing he needed to move up and get himself a huge challenge, the exciting contender goes in with the man who scored the 54-second KO over Khan he is still well known for.
But can Mitchell, a fighter who has been in a couple of tough fights where he got hit quite a bit, box and move in the early rounds and then come on to either stop Prescott late or win on points? This is what Mitchell believes he will do next month, as he made clear when speaking to his local paper, The Barking and Dagenham Post.
“People remember Prescott for the Khan knockout, but I am confident I will handle him,” Mitchell said. “He is a puncher and will be dangerous for the first three rounds – then I will take over a show him how hard I can hit.”
Always a hugely confident fighter, Mitchell has shown a real sense of purpose by taking this fight. Far from opting to take the easy way, the unbeaten contender is going in with a man he knows has the raw power to stop him if he catches him. Now that’s commendable, especially in this age where some top name boxers seem to hide away from the toughest challenges out there. It can’t be expressed enough: Mitchell didn’t need this fight, yet he is taking it. What’s not to like about such an attitude?
Of course, if Mitchell loses and “the curse of Prescott” strikes again for a Frank Warren-promoted fighter, people everywhere will be highly critical of both Mitchell and Warren. But taking risks such as this is the kind of thing that can win a fighter both respect and an increased fan base.
If he is as strong and as fast at 135 as he was at 130, there is no reason Mitchell cannot get the win, the biggest of his career so far. There will be some nail biting from his fans in those early rounds, though!