Furious Michael Katsidis has arrived in the UK – and says he can’t wait to batter Kevin Mitchell in front of his own fans. The angry Aussie met the press today dressed in his full ancient Greek warrior outfit – a nod to his Mediterranean heritage – ahead of his May 15 clash with Mitchell at Upton Park live on Sky Sports HD1. Katsidis’ Interim WBO World lightweight title will be on the line in the east end, and he says he’s not going home without it. “West Ham may have stayed up in the Premiership, but I’ll be relegating Mitchell to an also ran next weekend,” he said.
“I’m so happy to be back in the UK. I’ve got so many happy memories of London, especially as it was here that I beat Graham Earl and really burst on to the scene.
“This time I’m really looking forward to shutting Mitchell up.
“All I’ve read for weeks are his comments in the press calling me an old man and telling everyone how he is going to beat me up..
“Well I’ve got a message for him – ‘Your dead meat mate’.
“I’m a true gladiator and I’m going to serve up Mitchell’s head on a plate next weekend.
“The fight is going to be the bloodiest of the year in the UK, but it’s Mitchell who is going to feel the pain and not me.
“I even asked promoter Frank Warren to stage a press conference for tomorrow so I could look Mitchell in the eye and tell him that I’m going to break his heart on May 15.
“We’ve not come face to face yet, but when we do he’s going to realise that he’s bitten off more than he can chew.”
‘Hammer Time’ is headlined by Kevin Mitchell’s challenge for the WBO Interim World Lightweight Championship against Michael Katsidis. A quality packed undercard includes the British Heavyweight Championship between Danny Williams and Derek Chisora; Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale challenges for the first title in his career – the WBA International Super-Middleweight Championship; and Britain’s hottest young prospects Frankie Gavin, Billy Joe Saunders, Ricky Burns, Matthew Hall, Liam, Michael and Ryan Walsh, Vinny Mitchell, George Michael Carmen, Freddie Turner and Craig Evans.
Tickets for ‘Hammer Time’, priced at £30, £40, £50, £80, £150, £200 & £250, are available from:
West Ham Ticket Hotline: 0871 222 2700*
Website: www.whufc.com
See Tickets Ticket Hotline: 0871 2200 260*
Website: www.seetickets.com
Ticketmaster: 0844 847 2500*
Website: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
*Subject to booking fee.
Mitchell Revs Up For Title Fight
Boy racer Kevin Mitchell revved up his world title challenge today with a visit to Ford in Dagenham. The Essex hot shot will challenge Michael Katsidis for the interim WBO World Lightweight title on May 15 at West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground at Upton Park, live on Sky Sports HD1. He took a break from his punishing training regime today to check out a string of classic motors made by the iconic Ford brand.
Among the cars Mitchell saw were a Mexico Rally winning Escort from the 1970s, as well as 1980s classic the Sierra Cosworth, and the more recent Focus RS.
“Just like Ford, I’m made in Dagenham,” said Mitchell.
“Ford have always been big in Dagenham, and it’s great to come down here and see the world famous cars that have brought so much work to this area over the years,” said Mitchell.
“I was a bit of a boy racer when I was younger, so it was a real thrill to get my hands on a Sierra Cosworth – may be I’ll come back after my fight and buy one of these antiquess
“As for Katsidis, the wheels are definitely coming off for him when we meet at Upton Park.
“A few years ago he had a great engine and could go from 0 to 60 in a few seconds, but he’s had too many hard fights and he’s like a clapped-out old banger.
“Once I start landing my bombs smoke is going to be coming out of his engine big time, and he’ll need a pit stop after a few rounds.”
Chisora vs Williams On Michtell-Katsidis Undercard
Rising heavyweight star Derek Chisora has finally got his opportunity at Danny Williams for his British Heavyweight title after Sam Sexton withdrew from his fight against the Brixton bomber.
Commonwealth champion Sexton was due to face Williams on the undercard of Kevin Mitchell’s world title fight at West Ham United football ground on Saturday 15th May, but Sexton has had to withdraw because his mother is seriously ill. (Please see the statement from team Sexton below.).
Williams was supposed to fight Chisora in February at Wembley Arena when Sexton pulled out because of hand injury, but claimed he couldn’t get himself in the right frame of mind to face the unbeaten Chisora.
Finchley puncher Chisora instead fought Carl Baker in a British title eliminator who he stopped in two rounds.
“First of all my thoughts are with Sam and his family at this time and I hope his mother makes a full recovery,” said the 25-year-old.
“The opportunity to fight Williams again was presented to me and took the fight straight away,”
“I was left frustrated by the messing about in the last fight when I was supposed to fight him and took my anger out on Baker, but I’m happy that Williams has seen sense and will fight me at West Ham,”
“I’m really psyched up for the fight already and this is the type of fight I need to bring out the best in me that people haven’t seen yet,”
He added, “It’s going to be a huge night at West Ham and I’m looking forward to being crowned British champion.”
*STATEMENT FROM TEAM SEXTON*
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the unforeseen withdrawal of Sam Sexton from his forthcoming fight against Danny Williams on the 15th May 2010. Sam Sextons mother was admitted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with an aneurysm to her head in critical condition. Having undergone extensive tests she is now awaiting the possibility of a rare life saving operation.
Sam has not left his mother’s bedside throughout her ordeal has been unable to continue his training for the past week and it seems potentially for the foreseeable future until his mother has hopefully had her operation and is out of danger. Being in the most important period of his training and after extensive discussion with his trainer it was decided that Sam was not in a fit state of mind for any fight, let alone a championship fight.
Sam deeply regrets having to pull out of the fight as he was so looking forward to hopefully adding his dream of being British Heavyweight Champion to his Commonwealth title.
Sam would greatly appreciate some privacy along with his family through this worrying time.