Mitchell v Katsidis - Result

WBO Interim Lightweight Title

15/5/10

Upton Park, London, Uk.

Dagenham fighter Kevin Mitchell was stopped for the first time in his professional career, by the hardworking Michael 'Warrior' Katsidis in the third at the West Ham United stadium.

Katsidis has looked focussed ever since arrival in the UK. The no nonsense Australian even sparred in his changing room ten minutes before the fight, showing his dedication to winning. The atmosphere at the football ground was nothing short of electric. Mitchell entered the ring accompanied by a performance by the Cockney Rejects. Even though their rendition of I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles was spectacularly awful, it did not defer the enthusiasm of the crowd. There was no doubting that the fans had come to support the Hammer, as this was highlighted in the booing of Katsidis during his usually eerie, and quite frankly peculiar, gladiator inspired entrance. With virtually no spectator support and thousands of miles from home, Katsidis commanded an air of respect through intimidation.

The first round started well for Mitchell. He looked to try and establish his jab early on, presumably to keep the hard hitting Katsidis at distance. Katisidis approached the round intelligently. He chose his punches and connected well. Mitchell only looked vulnerable when Katsidis looked to get forward. Despite a late charge from Katisidis, it was fair to say that Mitchell looked like he could be his match. An even round.

Katsidis took the late surge from the first, continuing into the second. Bouncing around on his toes he looked confident, trying to get in close at Mitchell, while he himself connected his jabs and a few combinations. Halfway through the round an exciting exchange of punches fueled the atmosphere created by the fans. Katsidis continued to move forward and knew that to beat Mitchell he had to get up in front of him. It was obvious that Mitchell understood this and continued to jab Katsidis away at arms length.

Mitchell continued to jab in the third until a lack of concentration let Katsidis in, who clearly rocked the home fighter. Katsidis had blood in his nostrils, unleasing pressure on to Mitchell until the fight referee had to break the fighters after Mitchell's survival instinct of trying to hug the tidal wave away. Katsidis' rhythm hadn't waned and he peppered Mitchell with hard combinations. Mitchell started to clutch at straws and could only hug out for another break from the referee. Mitchell's grittiness came to the fore, as he tried to fight back and landed a few shots. However, this seemed to only open himself up to Katsidis, who responded with a huge body shot. Mitchell's legs went and he was clearly in trouble. He resorted to hugging once more to recover and the small amount of shots thrown from Mitchell, after the referee allowed the fight to continue, had no real venom. Katsidis knew he had his man and stunned the Londoner with an impressive left hook, followed by combination after combination that left referee Dave Paris no other option than to call the fight.

Katsidis showed the difference in class in the fight. His dogged performance wasn't perfect, but he took his punches well, dug in and connected his punches with real power. Mitchell will clearly be disappointed with his performance. He never really looked like troubling Katsidis and couldn't convert the advantage of the home crowd. He can look back positively at his comfortable start and solid jab but needs to focus and make sure he doesn't lose in his next fight.

Katsidis moved on to 27-2 (22KO) and Mitchell 31-1 (23KO).