Q&A Kevin Mitchell
Posted: 27 Sep 2008, 10:18
I recently spoke to Kevin Mitchell. Here's what he had to say.
Q&A Kevin Mitchell
“ I’m looking in the next few years at seriously clearing up the weight class”
At the recent Amir Khan-Breidis Prescott there was an interesting spectator ringside British & Commonwealth Super Featherweight Champion Kevin Mitchell 27-0(20). He was there to support his friend and gym mate Nicky Cook who had beaten Alex Arthur to claim the WBO Super Featherweight. I spoke with Mitchell after the dust had settled on several matters. Here’s what Britain’s next big hope had to say.
Hello Kevin, welcome to www.spam.com
Anson Wainwright – Your last fight was your American debut on the Pavlik-Lockett card in June, you fought two time world challenger Walter Estrada? What can you tell us about that fight? Were you pleased with that performance?
Kevin Mitchell – I was pleased with the outcome. The thing is I’d been training and hurt my hand about a month before so I couldn’t hit the pads or spar, nothing. My timing was out. I wasn’t really chuffed with my performance but I was happy with the outcome. I stopped him in five rounds. I know the WBA World Champion (actually former world champion Vicente Mosquera) went eight rounds with him & obviously Scott Harrison went five with him. I was only out there late. I didn’t know until 2 days before the fight that he was a southpaw. I was only out there 4 days before the fight. I didn’t know what class of opponent I’d be in with. I dealt with it, that’s my job at the end of the day. Get in there no messing about.
Anson Wainwright – Your currently the British & Commonwealth Champion, are you looking at going the old fashioned route and winning the European title?
Kevin Mitchell – To tell the truth I’ll do whatever Frank (Warren) thinks is best. Why would you wanna fight for the European title if you can fight for the world title and earn a lot more money. So we’ll see what Frank wants to do. Personally myself I like the old fashioned route, I’ve got the British & Commonwealth titles, so why not the European.
Anson Wainwright – When are you looking to fight next?
Kevin Mitchell – I’m hoping I’m back on again in December on the bill there.
Editors note. It has been mentioned that Amir Khan will return on 6 December possibly at the 02 Arena in London and that Mitchell maybe on the same bill.
Anson Wainwright – You are in the same gym as Nicky Cook. Seeing him win the world title must have inspired you to want to do the same?
Kevin Mitchell – Yeah definitely. At the end of the day Nicky is one of my sparring partners. Looking at him I feel I can definitely win a world title. Looking at the way the division is I think I can clear up.
Anson Wainwright – You are the same weight as Nicky Cook is it a fight you’d take or are you looking to go another way?
Kevin Mitchell – I don’t think it will ever even happen. There’s always a bit of messing about talking about it. But realistically I don’t think it’ll happen in a million years.
Anson Wainwright – Who are you targeting then?
Kevin Mitchell – Really whoever has the other belts. I’m 23 nearly 24 so I’m looking in the next few years at seriously clearing up the weight class.
Anson Wainwright – Things have obviously changed with Pacquiao, Marquez, Guzman & Valero all moving to Lightweight.
Kevin Mitchell – Exactly. I always thought 2/3 years ago I when I was looking at the division and the ages of the top guys, what sort of fights they’ve been in and thought by the time I’m 24/25 I’ll be in a very good position. (To make my move)
Anson Wainwright – What do you consider your best performance to date?
Kevin Mitchell – It would to be without doubt the first four rounds in the Carl Johanneson fight, only the first four rounds. The next 2 rounds were alright but then I had to change tactics and go back to how I fought in the first four rounds. I showed I have what it takes to be a world champion. I always thought I could do it but in that fight I showed I can do it.
Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing?
Kevin Mitchell – Fighting in the streets. As a young kid of about 7 I was always knocking about the streets, Fighting a lot and getting into trouble really, just getting up to no good fighting on football pitches (Soccer) stuff like that. I always had loads of friends, I just liked fighting.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?
Kevin Mitchell – My boxing idol growing up was Naz (Naseem Hamed) without a doubt. I met him a few times. I’ve met a few celebrities Sylvester Stallone & Russell Crowe. When I met them I was fine but with Naz I was like bloody hell! He’s here! (Laughs)
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?
Kevin Mitchell – I’ve got my baby, I’ve not trained because of my hand being in a cast. My hand keeps swelling up. Whenever I use it gets puffy. I’m always in the gym. I’m a gym person. I like Fishing, going to the pictures (Cinema) anything to chill me out.
Anson Wainwright – As a fighter around your weight, what did you make of Amir Khan getting knocked out?
Kevin Mitchell – There’s always been question marks above his head. The press have always made out he’s better than me. But I’ve known. If you look at the amateur’s I was always the main attraction. I’ve known him since he was a kid. He came back and was big on the back of the Olympics. He’s done well out of it. It was unexpected but it was on the cards. As soon as he got hit on the chin it was over.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any message for your fans or anyone out there?
Kevin Mitchell –For all the fans I’d like to say I’ll be back on December 6. It won’t be long now and I’ll be getting all those world titles and defending them at the 02 arena. Hopefully in the next 2 years, we’ll be having some big shows there and a lot of big attractions will be back there.
Thanks Kevin
Anson Wainwright
www.spam.com
Q&A Kevin Mitchell
“ I’m looking in the next few years at seriously clearing up the weight class”
At the recent Amir Khan-Breidis Prescott there was an interesting spectator ringside British & Commonwealth Super Featherweight Champion Kevin Mitchell 27-0(20). He was there to support his friend and gym mate Nicky Cook who had beaten Alex Arthur to claim the WBO Super Featherweight. I spoke with Mitchell after the dust had settled on several matters. Here’s what Britain’s next big hope had to say.
Hello Kevin, welcome to www.spam.com
Anson Wainwright – Your last fight was your American debut on the Pavlik-Lockett card in June, you fought two time world challenger Walter Estrada? What can you tell us about that fight? Were you pleased with that performance?
Kevin Mitchell – I was pleased with the outcome. The thing is I’d been training and hurt my hand about a month before so I couldn’t hit the pads or spar, nothing. My timing was out. I wasn’t really chuffed with my performance but I was happy with the outcome. I stopped him in five rounds. I know the WBA World Champion (actually former world champion Vicente Mosquera) went eight rounds with him & obviously Scott Harrison went five with him. I was only out there late. I didn’t know until 2 days before the fight that he was a southpaw. I was only out there 4 days before the fight. I didn’t know what class of opponent I’d be in with. I dealt with it, that’s my job at the end of the day. Get in there no messing about.
Anson Wainwright – Your currently the British & Commonwealth Champion, are you looking at going the old fashioned route and winning the European title?
Kevin Mitchell – To tell the truth I’ll do whatever Frank (Warren) thinks is best. Why would you wanna fight for the European title if you can fight for the world title and earn a lot more money. So we’ll see what Frank wants to do. Personally myself I like the old fashioned route, I’ve got the British & Commonwealth titles, so why not the European.
Anson Wainwright – When are you looking to fight next?
Kevin Mitchell – I’m hoping I’m back on again in December on the bill there.
Editors note. It has been mentioned that Amir Khan will return on 6 December possibly at the 02 Arena in London and that Mitchell maybe on the same bill.
Anson Wainwright – You are in the same gym as Nicky Cook. Seeing him win the world title must have inspired you to want to do the same?
Kevin Mitchell – Yeah definitely. At the end of the day Nicky is one of my sparring partners. Looking at him I feel I can definitely win a world title. Looking at the way the division is I think I can clear up.
Anson Wainwright – You are the same weight as Nicky Cook is it a fight you’d take or are you looking to go another way?
Kevin Mitchell – I don’t think it will ever even happen. There’s always a bit of messing about talking about it. But realistically I don’t think it’ll happen in a million years.
Anson Wainwright – Who are you targeting then?
Kevin Mitchell – Really whoever has the other belts. I’m 23 nearly 24 so I’m looking in the next few years at seriously clearing up the weight class.
Anson Wainwright – Things have obviously changed with Pacquiao, Marquez, Guzman & Valero all moving to Lightweight.
Kevin Mitchell – Exactly. I always thought 2/3 years ago I when I was looking at the division and the ages of the top guys, what sort of fights they’ve been in and thought by the time I’m 24/25 I’ll be in a very good position. (To make my move)
Anson Wainwright – What do you consider your best performance to date?
Kevin Mitchell – It would to be without doubt the first four rounds in the Carl Johanneson fight, only the first four rounds. The next 2 rounds were alright but then I had to change tactics and go back to how I fought in the first four rounds. I showed I have what it takes to be a world champion. I always thought I could do it but in that fight I showed I can do it.
Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing?
Kevin Mitchell – Fighting in the streets. As a young kid of about 7 I was always knocking about the streets, Fighting a lot and getting into trouble really, just getting up to no good fighting on football pitches (Soccer) stuff like that. I always had loads of friends, I just liked fighting.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your hero growing up?
Kevin Mitchell – My boxing idol growing up was Naz (Naseem Hamed) without a doubt. I met him a few times. I’ve met a few celebrities Sylvester Stallone & Russell Crowe. When I met them I was fine but with Naz I was like bloody hell! He’s here! (Laughs)
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?
Kevin Mitchell – I’ve got my baby, I’ve not trained because of my hand being in a cast. My hand keeps swelling up. Whenever I use it gets puffy. I’m always in the gym. I’m a gym person. I like Fishing, going to the pictures (Cinema) anything to chill me out.
Anson Wainwright – As a fighter around your weight, what did you make of Amir Khan getting knocked out?
Kevin Mitchell – There’s always been question marks above his head. The press have always made out he’s better than me. But I’ve known. If you look at the amateur’s I was always the main attraction. I’ve known him since he was a kid. He came back and was big on the back of the Olympics. He’s done well out of it. It was unexpected but it was on the cards. As soon as he got hit on the chin it was over.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any message for your fans or anyone out there?
Kevin Mitchell –For all the fans I’d like to say I’ll be back on December 6. It won’t be long now and I’ll be getting all those world titles and defending them at the 02 arena. Hopefully in the next 2 years, we’ll be having some big shows there and a lot of big attractions will be back there.
Thanks Kevin
Anson Wainwright
www.spam.com
