by James Slater – Tonight at Wembley, on Frank Warren’s big show, British lightweight star “Mighty” Kevin Mitchell looked nothing short of sensational as he blew away Colombia’s Ignacio Mendoza inside just two-rounds. Defending his 135-pound Intercontinental crown, the Londoner landed a smashing right hand to the Spain-based challenger’s head, sending him crashing to the mat in a corner. With absolutely no chance whatsoever of beating the count, the visiting fighter was counted out at one-minute and 24-seconds of the 2nd-round.
25-year-old Mitchell is now 31-0(23), 26-year-old Mendoza is 27-6-2(18)..
Fresh off his career-best win over another dangerous Colombian in Breidis Prescott, who he out-pointed over 12-rounds back in December, Mitchell kept his impressive momentum going by halting Mendoza in such stunning fashion. A fairly even opening round got the fight off to a good start, before the out-of-the-blue finish from Mitchell arrived.
Unleashing a sharp right hand that caught Mendoza flush, Mitchell’s underrated power sent shockwaves down his opponent’s entire body. The force of the blow literally made Mendoza jump into the air, his nervous system so badly affected by the lethal punch. Never has the 25-year-old, who really is looking like the new global star at 135-pounds, scored such a devastating KO win.
Afterwards, promoter Frank Warren said it will definitely be interim WBO lightweight champion Michal Katsidis next for Mitchell and Warren also stated how he would like to have the fight held in the U.K. A mouth-watering prospect, based on his last two performances, one has to give the unbeaten Mitchell an excellent chance of winning over the Australian tough guy.
Simply put, Mendoza, who was on the receiving end of one helluva scary-looking KO this evening, didn’t know what hit him. As tough as he is, Katsidis is no defensive genius and Mitchell figures to test the warrior’s chin. Will we see Mitchell-Katsidis next as Warren hopes? And if we do, can “The Great” take the kind of shots Mitchell landed with such awesome effect tonight?
On tonight’s under-card, Olympic gold medallist James DeGale looked good in stopping Matthew Barr in the second round, and former world amateur champion Frankie Gavin also shone in winning all six rounds of his fight with Peter McDonagh. Heavyweight hope Derek Chisora blew away Carl Baker in the 2nd-round and prospect Jamie Cox won an eight round decision over Michael Frontin. So far on the card, however, it is Mitchell who has stolen the show. Nathan Cleverly is still to fight at the time of writing this, though, so who knows?.
One thing is clear to agree on – bring on Mitchel Vs. Katsidis. This one has “great fight” written all over it!