Kevin Mitchell Retired

[lefty]

He was in some good fights; the Linares bout was one of my top few from last year. Maybe not quite world class but on the level right beneath.

Now is probably a good time to retire, as he's taken a fair bit of punishment and looked like a worn-out fighter last time out.

How do you think he would have fared against Crolla? Personally, I think he's a more talented fighter and had a tougher run of things (in the ring).

[crusader]

Now? I think Crolla would beat him.

A few years ago it may have been different but I think Crolla has moved forward.

[lefty]

Now? I think Crolla would beat him.

A few years ago it may have been different but I think Crolla has moved forward.

Yeah I meant in a general sense versus right now. Mitchell has got a lot of miles on the clock. Personally I thought whilst Crolla dealt with him in good fashion, I thought Perez was dire.

[crusader]

Well I think your point is with merit, because I'd say that the versions of Burns, Katsidis, and Linares that beat him were significantly better than Perez, and I'm not sure how much he had left against Barroso. Him falling short against these types at the times he did doesn't suggest to me that he would've also lost to Perez if he fought him a couple years ago, and I'd give him an excellent chance against Crolla in a peak vs peak fight.

[the patriot]

Does his speech seem a bit affected in that interview? It must be hard to walk away though, he had a massive fan base.

I struggled to understand what he was saying through most of that.

I've never been able to understand Mitchell in any of his interviews over the years.. Eastenders/cockney is like a different bloody language

[handsofstone]

I wish him all the best in whatever he does,a class act who always went out on his shield and was in some right barnstormers,Johannson,Murray,Linares,Maduma,Katsidis,Burns and plenty more,his most impressive performance was probably his dullest(Prescott) maybe not his biggest win but it was the complete performance

UK boxing scene is definitly poorer without him but its probably the right decision,i wouldve loved to have seen him beat Tatli for the European because i dont think he ever won that,but if his heart wasnt in it he made the right call

[Horse]

Mitchell should have had more domestic fights.

He seemed to want to avoid them for some reason.

[tobyh5]

Sounded thick tongued and bordering on slurring, certainly stumbling over some words. Right time to get out as there appears to be a level of damage already evident. Hate to see guys suffer long term, they have to deal with that long after the lights have dimmed and we have stopped cheering their name

[lillywhite14]

Does The East End even produce good fighters now?

The ABA's used to be dominated by Repton etc but now many smaller (northern) clubs are producing really talented boxers. A lot of the good pros from around London, Essex and Herts used to commute to the East End to train and it has to be admitted that the East End cachet garnered a lot of publicity/hype.

Yes, hardly any Repton boxers were actually from there.

Hardly ever 'made' champions, tended to 'steal' them. A few established ams from my way got enticed up there only to regress.

[bripez]

Mitchell should have had more domestic fights.

He seemed to want to avoid them for some reason.

I agree with the first but - but the same Dan be said for most boxers.

On the second point, Mitchell (again like a lot if others) would rather go down the inter-continental route to get a world ranking - shame really, a lot of good fights at all weights are never made.

[Stuarty]

Sounded thick tongued and bordering on slurring, certainly stumbling over some words. Right time to get out as there appears to be a level of damage already evident. Hate to see guys suffer long term, they have to deal with that long after the lights have dimmed and we have stopped cheering their name

Agree. Well put

[garethhop]

Who hasn't been done for drink driving, and knives in cars, been curfewed etc? Most of us.

Like all boxers who stick it on the line, I hope he finds happiness and a healthy retirement but shedding no tears tonight.

[Boxerbeetle]

I wish him all the best in whatever he does,a class act who always went out on his shield and was in some right barnstormers,Johannson,Murray,Linares,Maduma,Katsidis,Burns and plenty more,his most impressive performance was probably his dullest(Prescott) maybe not his biggest win but it was the complete performance

UK boxing scene is definitly poorer without him but its probably the right decision,i wouldve loved to have seen him beat Tatli for the European because i dont think he ever won that,but if his heart wasnt in it he made the right call

Well said

[Horse]

I agree with the first but - but the same Dan be said for most boxers.

On the second point, Mitchell (again like a lot if others) would rather go down the inter-continental route to get a world ranking - shame really, a lot of good fights at all weights are never made.

Didn't fight: Alex Arthur, Nicky Cook, Michael Gomez, Anthony Crolla, Amir Khan, Terry Flanagan, Gavin Rees, Derry Mathews, Willie Limond, Luke Campbell, Tommy Coyle, Liam Walsh, John Simpson, Scott Cardle, Graham Earl, Gary Sykes, Gary Buckland, Stephen Foster, Craig Docherty, Jon Thaxton, Martin Gethin, Lee McAllister, Scott Lawton, Henry Castle, Billy Corcoran, Andy Murray, Eddie Hyland, Oisin Fagan, Ryan Barrett & Sean Dodd.

Fought: Carl Johanneson, John Murray & Ricky Burns.

[freddydoesdallas]

Big fan of him in the early days and was due to watch the Johanneson fight when it was originally scheduled to be top of the bill at the York Hall (would have been my first and as yet only trip there) but that never happened.

As time went on, i never bought into the hype surrounding him but did think he was an entertaining fighter.

Hope he enjoys retirement and keeps himself busy. Nobody wants to hear further stories of how he could have been a great trainer as well if only he could stay focussed

[gibbo]

I thought he was a dickhead out of the ring?

IVE MET HIMA FEW TIMES, COMPLETE GENT,
had his issues of course out of the ring, but who hasn't.

He stayed in the same hotel as me in Newcastle the night he fought Prescott on the Khan Salita undercard and I spoke to him briefly. He seemed brand new to me but only spoke for five mins so who knows. Maybe he's different when he's had a skinful because he likes a drink so I've heard? Everyone has their moments when on the piss

Me too met him at a few shows and used to take my bro to his boxing class at a school in Dagenham, always had time to speak to me and all the locals around Dagenham. Don't know anyone who has meet him that has a bad word to say

[Eddy]

OK he never won a world title but he is a very popular fighter. He should have a nice happy life now. I hope money wise he's been smart. He to me has just about the perfect level of fame, not too much, but anyone who's into British boxing will know who he is. He should go into training fighters plus do something in the acting world. In a few years he could write a book; comentary ect. For those who say he's too "punchy" well yes, he is a fighter! The world's his oyster card!

Stay out of those boozers though lol

[Truthseeker]

It's the right decision. Hate to see fighters carry on too long. He's probably been thinking about it for a while...sports retirement is a long process not a single announcement. Hopefully he's got outside interests to keep him from coming back. Best of luck kev

[Monte Fisto]

Good career and some top matchups. Can see him being a trainer down the line.

[brilo33]

dont know the man at all. dont wish to. but i would like to say thanks , because his fights on the whole where entertaining always enjoyed them good luck

[dinkybob]

It make me giggle with the number of people laying into Mitchell upon his announcement to retire. While we all have our opinions on how good or bad a boxer is or was, I would imagine that very few people on here (excepting the boxers of course() trying to tear him to pieces would have the nerve to get into a ring and fight in front of thousands of people. I am betting that many would not even make it to the venue through fear. Remember that fighters like Mitchell entertained fans for a long time. Whether he won or lost what he did was primarily for his family/wallet followed closely then for the fans. Ask yourself this question. Would you get in the ring to fight in public knowing that people would be willing you to get knocked out.

[1 nut]

I remember the Prescott fight well after Amir got one on the noggin ! He was ready to push on but he as entertained many a boxing fan I say good luck in the future

[stujones]

In this day and age, I think he would have a world title fight at Super Feather after the Johansson victory. That was probably his best bet. Just looked more vulnerable at Lightweight.

[palooka]

Mitchell v Murray is on at the weekend on one of the sky sports channels, I'm going to treat myself to Mitchell at his best.

[magwitch]

I actually have zero recollection of Kevin Mitchell versus John Murray, which is a bit weird. Did Mitchell take him out?

I always enjoyed watching KMM fight. Whenever he lost a fight he always bounced back impressively too. Was in a heck of a lot of classics as well....... from memory Carl Johanneson had a very good six rounds against him and worked Mitchell over quite a lot, but the second half of the fight Mitchell threw it all back at him and it was more than the Yorkshireman could take. A real fight of two halves that one was.

I wish him well in retirement