Where now for Kevin Mitchell?

[Stuarty]

I was truly gutted last night for Mitchell. I thought he was on top form and brave but he just came up against a very good champion in Linares. All in all I thought he showed he belongs in that class but where do people see him going from here? At 30 will he ever get another shot at a world title and will last nights defeat take that hunger and desire from him?

[sammy95]

I think last night will make him even hungrier, and I wouldnt be suprised to see the Linares rematch in September / October time.

[outthebox]

If he threw his right hand he would have sparked linares out. One round i counted 2 punches thrown. He relies too much on his left jab/hook. It is telegraphed.

[Horse]

He should fight for the British title.

[thepocketrocket]

I can see that being made as a rematch.

However, that would have been such a damaging fight for Kevin. once wonders whether his best was left in that ring last night.

Also, shame he couldn't have kept of the ale and trained properly for Katsidis and Burns. One suspects he would already be a two time champion

[TheCobra]

He will probably get another chance, it was a bad injury that stopped him as opposed to getting sparked out so there are excuses. You could see the last punch that finished him was flush on the swelling and it just sickened him so he had to stop. He was a few up on my card and the judges had him winning so there are reasons to still have hope, but he has already had 3 world title shots so he's in great danger of never doing it now.

[Horse]

Also, shame he couldn't have kept of the ale and trained properly for Katsidis and Burns. One suspects he would already be a two time champion

I don't suspect.

[thepocketrocket]

Also, shame he couldn't have kept of the ale and trained properly for Katsidis and Burns. One suspects he would already be a two time champion

I don't suspect.

You are right, don't even think it is much of a debate.

What I will do is clarify 'it's a shame'. Maybe that is a bit too sympathetic. 99% of fighters would have loved to have had the backing Kev has had. If he couldn't put down the beer, then that is on his own head.

However, it is a shame for us, as we never got to see what I think were likely his peak years.

[whiskey]

He was sliced and diced last night by a slick boxer.

Watching the replay back of the 5th round knockdown, it was more a case of Linares being buzzed but also having his feet together and falling on his backside.

Watt called a left hook, but it actually missed. Mitchell's approach would have been successful if Linares faded down the stretch, but he was starting to come on strong again. So I'm not sure how it would have panned out to be honest if the face held up.

I fear that if his previous nose cut isn't healing well, then the cuts he sustained last night could really flare up in the future too.

It was a great scrap, and there is no shame on Mitchell's part last night in losing to him. He sells tickets, entertains fans and therefore still has a career to look forward to of sorts if he wants it.

I personally think he does cherish his boxing now and will perhaps see him at the end of the year or after xmas to allow his wounds to heal correctly. The recovery is key to his return. Maybe he can get the nose sorted out too at the same time.

[ajwesty13]

Thank god kev showed what most people knew ...he has the ability to mix it at that level... A massive step up and he did really well .. really gutted for him ... As people have said that'll give him confidence. ..

[littlepug]

Despite not winning a world title he's had a great career, never seen a crap Mitchell fight but agree with the previous poster that he may have left it all in there last night, hes had hard fight after hard fight for a few years now and coupled with his bad habits its got to take its toll at some point, think its gonna take a couple more tough fights tho until Mitchell sees sense and hangs em up

[Stuarty]

Thank god kev showed what most people knew ...he has the ability to mix it at that level... A massive step up and he did really well .. really gutted for him ... As people have said that'll give him confidence. ..

I hope so but it's a fine line. Could go either way. He could take the positives from what was a very good show or he could lose that drive you need to succeed at that level! That's three times now he has failed on a big stage so maybe it's a mental obstacle? Fantastic fighter and I think if he got that world title he would be even better. I really hope he comes back I've met him a couple of times and he seems a really nice guy. He has a great team around him and trains in a gym full of top class talent so hopefully they can pick him up.

[palooka]

It was a horrible eye injury, it looked like Lebedev in miniature. Kevin is world class and it looked like his right hand had gone at one time. Linares was a little lucky but he's a good champ, I'd watch Mitchell again, he's good value and comes to win.

[Rexob]

He needs that rematch which is winnable and it would be a great money fight for Linares to come back over here for and an exciting fight for us fans again.

[kamicazze]

Do people believe linares to be the finest of the lightweight champs? As Mitchell was neck and neck with him. Maybe mickey bey would be a good match up, or winner of Perez/crolla

[Emmseegee]

I have always wished Mitchell success with the exception of the Burns fight where I was obviously going to back my local fighter and was sad to see him come up short again. It does however annoy me when people mention his training, drinking etc as commitment and professionalism are attributes that fighters need to have just as much if not more than ability. I don't have any sympathy for how he lost his previous world title attempts but do have lots of sympathy for it went last night. The cuts and lumps made a tough task tougher, he looked great at times during the fight and hopefully he comes again.

I think Mitchell would pick Crolla to pieces.

[rhino222]

I was gutted for him last night but I enjoyed the fight, his failure to stop linares also cost me my 5 way accy at ladbrookes!!

last night was kevs best chance of winning a world strap, linares, however hardy he is, had been stopped a few times before, and Mitchell has the power to stop anyone who is vulnerable earlier on. unfortunately it did not happen.

[wesshaw1985]

if Paul Smith got another crack at Abraham, Mitchell can get another crack at Linares...

[stevieb_8006]

I think that fight could finish him. Great effort tho.

He may forever kick himself for being a silly young man for too long. Won't be the first.

[david1963]

I thought it was a very good fight and Mitchell was well ahead at the time of the stoppage. That said, the beating he took in the 10th might stay with him for a long time. He lost his third challenge for a world title. It's probably best if he retires while he's close to his peak.

[freddydoesdallas]

I disagree with a lot that has been said in here. In general, i just don't think mitchell is good enough to be world champion. Nothing wrong with that as it's tough to be a world champ.

He's failed on all the occasions he has stepped up to world class so for me he isn't world class. He may have used the drink as an excuse but the mental side of sport can be as important as the physical side.

Going forward, i think he has a choice of going back to the drawing board to work himself back with a euro title or become a travelling 'b' side.

He will never beat a world class opponent

[handsofstone]

It was great fight,has Mitchell or his team mentioned anything about his right hand or arm being injured?(if he was I'll be speaking to my solicitor first thing in the morning regarding compensation for the PPV and the distress caused)

The swelling was like Lebedev's or Wolak's just grotesque,taking nothing away from Linares he's a terrific champion and a tough warrior but I do think a fit Kevin Mitchell beats him ,

[Black Sam Bellamy]

What Anthony Crolla does next will probably dictate what Mitchell does next

[gb]

Do people believe linares to be the finest of the lightweight champs? As Mitchell was neck and neck with him. Maybe mickey bey would be a good match up, or winner of Perez/crolla

Certainly not. He's probably the weakest. Quick hands and cam crack, but he's pretty vulnerable, as the stoppage defeats show.

[tony1234]

Maybe should think about packing it in ?