Exclusive Interview by James Slater – Yesterday, whilst in the great city of Newcastle, I was able to get an interview with Colombia’s Bredis Prescott (see article a few scrolls down on this site). Also during the press conference to publicise Prescott’s big, WBO lightweight title elimination clash with undefeated Brit Kevin Mitchell, I was afforded a few minutes of the 25-year-old Dagenham warrior’s time.
Equally as confident as the big-hitter he will be meeting on Saturday night on the supporting bill to the Amir Khan-Dmitriy Salita world title bout, Mitchell, 20-0(22) is sure he will win. Showing more of a game face than the casual-looking Colombian – who told me he is not concerned about this fight at all – the former British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion who will be making the move up to 135-pounds even went as far as to promise the gathered media he would win the fight.
Sure he’s in for a tough fight, but hugely confident all the same, the exciting fighter gave the following answers to my questions:
James Slater: I know you’ve been asked loads of questions already, and I’m grateful for your time. Prescott said he’s not worried about you, and that he’s just here to do a job. Is he being disrespectful, do you think? And is he making a mistake if he is overlooking and underestimating you?
Kevin Mitchell: He’s done his homework, no doubt about that. He’s a good fighter – he’s not a t**t. He knows he’s in for a hard night’s work I think – I can see it in his eyes. He’s a strong boy, powerful, but I’m a lot more dangerous than he thinks. I’m gonna get in there with him, and I’ll do a job, trust me. I know I can beat him, I’m not an idiot. I’ve seen what he does good, and I’ve seen what he does bad – and when he’s bad, he’s very bad. I’ll get the job done Saturday night.
J.S: You had a tough fight – a great fight – with Carl Johanneson (W TKO 9 in March of 2008). Was that your toughest fight as a pro?
K.M: No. It was a tough fight, I had to dig in a little bit. I had to go to the trenches and go to war a little bit, but that’s what I do best. I won in eleven rounds against a Russian lad, an unbeaten Russian (Andrey Isaev – W TKO 11, Sept. 2006) who beat Alex Arthur as an amateur, I stopped him in the 11th on cuts – that was a more technical fight, he was a very good boxer, very classy. I’ve had a couple of hard fights, but going in the trenches, going to war, is what I do best. This is what I’m learning now – not to always go in the trenches, to use my boxing ability more and wear a fighter down.
J.S: Frank Warren said this is your biggest fight, and I think it’s a better fight and a more exciting fight than the main event – no disrespect to Khan or Salita.
K.M: Yeah, it is, definitely.
J.S: Are you expecting it to be your hardest fight, or do you think you will outbox Prescott?
K.M: Not so much outbox him. I’ll outbox him and I’ll out-muscle him as well. I can do the 12 rounds no problem and get the job done. I’m confident in what I’m going to do, but I’m not overconfident. I know I’m in for a hard night’s work. I hope he knows he’s in for a hard night’s work.
J.S: Obviously we all saw what he did to Amir Khan, when he KO’d him in a round – have you seen any other Prescott fights?
K.M: I’ve seen loads of his fights. I’ve seen him fight before the Khan fight. He’s knocked a lot of boys out, he’s a big puncher, very heavy-handed , and we all know Amir doesn’t take that big a shot. Amir’s a good friend of mine, and let me tell you, if Amir fought him again he’d blather him.
J.S: You think?
K.M: Yeah, I know. And that’s the fight I really want, I want to get the Amir fight on.
J.S: This fight is an eliminator for the WBO lightweight title as you know: Juan Manuel Marquez I think still holds the title and Michael Katsidis is the interim champion…..
K.M: Marquez, I think, is going up to light-welter.
J.S: So you’d fight Katsidis for the full title? Prescott, Khan then Katdsidis! Three absolute crackers. And if you won those fights, you’d be the next British superstar.
K.M: Yeah, they’re the type of fights I want. I’m 25 years of age, and I want the Katsidis fight and the Khan fight. I know it’s easy talking about it, I have to go and do it. I have to win on Saturday and move on from there. I’ll get the job done Saturday and then we’ll take it one step at a time.
J.S: I really appreciate your time, Kevin. Just to close the article: what is your final prediction – will you win by decision or by knock out?
K.M: Knock out.
J.S: Thanks, and best wishes for the fight. I’m sure it will be an explosive battle!
K.M: Oh, you’ll see fireworks.