Kevin Mitchell (boxer)

Last updated

Kevin Mitchell
K-mitchell 2010.jpg
Mitchell in 2010
Born (1984-10-29) 29 October 1984 (age 39)
Romford, London,
England
NationalityBritish
Other names
  • The Hammer
  • The Dagenham Destroyer
  • Mighty
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights43
Wins39
Wins by KO29
Losses4

Kevin Mitchell (born 29 October 1984) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2015. He challenged twice for the lightweight world title in 2012 and 2015. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth super featherweight title from 2006 to 2008 and the British super featherweight title in 2008.

Contents

Amateur career

As an amateur, Mitchell won the senior-level ABA featherweight title in 2003, at the age of 18. [1]

Professional career

Mitchell made his professional debut for promoter Frank Warren on 17 July 2003, scoring a first-round knockout of Stevie Quinn. On 10 December 2005, Mitchell stopped Mohammed Medjadji in six rounds to win the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super-featherweight title, his first regional championship.

Commonwealth and British super-featherweight champion

On 28 October 2006, Mitchell defeated George Ashie by a twelve-round unanimous decision to win the vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title. [2] Two defenses of this title came against Harry Ramogoadi on 10 March 2007 (sixth-round TKO) [3] and Carl Johanneson on 8 March 2008 (ninth-round TKO). In the Johanneson fight, Mitchell also won the British super-featherweight title. Johanneson had drawn level on the judges' scorecards by the time of the stoppage. [4]

Moving up to lightweight

In 2009, Mitchell began his campaign at lightweight. He won over Lanquaye Wilson on 22 May (third-round TKO) and Ruddy Encarnacion on 18 July (eighth-round TKO). One of Mitchell's most acclaimed matches to date was his win against Breidis Prescott on 5 December. Prescott was famous for his punching power and knockout of Amir Khan in 2008. At the end of the twelve-round, the judges scored the fight as a wide unanimous decision for Mitchell, handing him his 31st consecutive professional victory and the WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. [5]

First loss

On the 15 May 2010, Mitchell competed for WBO interim title, held by Michael Katsidis, as well as a chance to fight for a full world title later in the year. The referee stopped the fight two minutes into the third round when Katsidis hit Mitchell with a left hook and several unanswered punches.

Personal life

Mitchell was unable to compete for over a year due to personal issues. Prior to the Katsidis fight, Mitchell disclosed that he had been experiencing family and relationship difficulties, as well as engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle.

Comeback

A fight against fellow lightweight prospect and domestic rival John Murray, then undefeated as a professional, was set for 16 July 2011 as a comeback fight for Mitchell. Mitchell won his second WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. [6]

World title challenges

Another year of relative inactivity followed until 22 September 2012, when Mitchell faced WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns for his first world title opportunity. In front of his home crowd in Glasgow, Burns scored two knockdowns and defeated Mitchell in four rounds. [7] Following his second professional loss, Mitchell spent ten months away from the sport. From 2013 to 2014, having switched promoters to Matchroom Sport and reunited with former trainer Tony Sims, Mitchell earned four wins in what proved to be a steady return to form.

On 31 May 2014, an unexpected stiff test came in the form of Ghislain Maduma, on the undercard to the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley Stadium. On the day of the fight, Mitchell failed to make the IBF-mandated same-day weigh-in by 1+12 lb (0.68 kg), a mistake which Mitchell put down to having eaten steak the night before. Since the fight was an eliminator to face then-reigning IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vázquez, Mitchell had forfeited his chance at fighting for the title even if he won. In the fight against Maduma, Mitchell gave up an early lead on points and absorbed many clean punches from his highly aggressive opponent. In the ninth round, Mitchell began to gain ground by catching Maduma with clean punches of his own. This was followed up in rounds ten and eleven when Maduma was staggered by a series of punches and stopped on his feet. [8]

On 31 January 2015, he faced Daniel Estrada for the vacant WBC Silver lightweight title. In what was described as a career-best performance, Mitchell showcased his boxing skills with renewed motivation en route to stopping Estrada in eight rounds. [9] This set up a second world title opportunity for Mitchell, this time against WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares. Their fight took place on 30 May. In round five, Mitchell scored a hard knockdown, allowing him to build up a lead on the scorecards. Linares scored a knockdown of his own in round ten, which quickly signaled the end of the fight as Mitchell's eye had been badly cut from a punch, forcing the referee to wave off the fight. [10]

On 12 December, he made another attempt at vying for a world title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte. On the line was the WBA interim lightweight title, and facing him was Ismael Barroso, who knocked him down three times. By the fifth round, the referee stopped the fight. Immediately afterwards, Mitchell had to be given oxygen by ringside doctors. [11]

Retirement

Mitchell was scheduled to fight European lightweight champion Edis Tatli on 18 March 2016 in Finland, but on 10 February, Mitchell announced his retirement and withdrawal from the fight. He told Sky Sports , "I've had a good think about it over the last week and I'm happily retired now… I've been doing this 22 years and it's time to call it a day and start a new chapter in my life." [12]

Professional boxing record

43 fights39 wins4 losses
By knockout294
By decision100
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
43Loss39–4 Ismael Barroso TKO5 (12), 2:47 12 Dec 2015 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor vacant WBA interim lightweight title
42Loss39–3 Jorge Linares TKO10 (12), 2:57 30 May 2015 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor WBC lightweight title
41Win39–2 Daniel Estrada TKO8 (12), 1:1231 Jan 2015The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBC Silver lightweight title
40Win38–2Ghislain MadumaTKO11 (12), 2:56 31 May 2014 Wembley Stadium, London, England
39Win37–2Mikheil AvakyanTKO2 (8), 2:0715 Mar 2014Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
38Win36–2 Karim El Ouazghari TKO9 (12), 2:0714 Dec 2013ExCeL, London, EnglandRetained IBF Inter-Continental lightweight title
37Win35–2 Marco Antonio López TKO6 (12), 1:445 Oct 2013The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental lightweight title
36Win34–2Sebastien BenitoPTS106 Jul 2013York Hall, London, England
35Loss33–2 Ricky Burns TKO4 (12), 2:5922 Sep 2012 Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, ScotlandFor WBO lightweight title
34Win33–1Felix LoraPTS1010 Feb 2012York Hall, London, England
33Win32–1 John Murray TKO8 (12), 1:4616 Jul 2011 Echo Arena, Liverpool, EnglandWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
32Loss31–1 Michael Katsidis TKO3 (12), 1:5715 May 2010 Boleyn Ground, London, EnglandFor WBO interim lightweight title
31Win31–0Ignacio MendozaKO3 (12), 1:2413 Feb 2010 Wembley Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
30Win30–0 Breidis Prescott UD125 Dec 2009 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, EnglandWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
29Win29–0Ruddy EncarnacionTKO8 (10), 2:3518 Jul 2009 MEN Arena, Manchester, England
28Win28–0Lanquaye WilsonTKO3 (8), 2:0722 May 2009York Hall, London, England
27Win27–0 Walter Estrada UD127 Jun 2008 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title
26Win26–0 Carl Johanneson TKO9 (12), 2:298 Mar 2008The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon British super featherweight title;
Retained Commonwealth super featherweight title
25Win25–0Edison TorresTKO3 (10), 1:0912 Jan 2008York Hall, London, England
24Win24–0Alexander KhrulevKO2 (12), 0:5714 Jul 2007 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title;
Retained IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title
23Win23–0Harry RamogoadiTKO6 (12), 3:007 Jun 2007 Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, EnglandRetained Commonwealth super featherweight title
22Win22–0 George Ashie UD1228 Oct 2006York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth super featherweight title
21Win21–0Andrei IsaeuTKO11 (12), 1:378 Sep 2006 Grosvenor House Hotel, London, EnglandWon IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title
20Win20–0Imad Ben KhalifaTKO2 (8), 0:347 Jul 2006 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
19Win19–0 Kirkor Kirkorov RTD2 (12)13 May 2006York Hall, London, EnglandRetained IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title
18Win18–0 Youssouf Djibaba UD1225 Feb 2006ExCeL, London, EnglandRetained IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title
17Win17–0Mohammed MedjadjiTKO6 (12), 2:1210 Dec 2005ExCel, London, EnglandWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title
16Win16–0Daniel ThorpeTKO4 (8), 2:1025 Oct 2005 Guild Hall, Preston, England
15Win15–0Wladimir BorovTKO2 (6), 1:3523 Sep 2005Hilton Hotel Mayfair, London, England
14Win14–0Karim ChakimPTS829 Apr 2005 Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
13Win13–0Frederic BonifaiPTS68 Apr 2005 Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
12Win12–0Henry JanesPTS411 Dec 2004 ExCeL, London, England
11Win11–0Alain RakowKO1 (6), 2:4619 Nov 2004York Hall, London, England
10Win10–0=Mounir GuebbasPTS622 Oct 2004 Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh, Scotland
9Win9–0Arpad J TothTKO3 (6), 0:4510 Sep 2004York Hall, London, England
8Win8–0Jason NesbittTKO3 (4), 0:455 Jun 2004York Hall, London, England
7Win7–0Slimane KebailiTKO1 (4), 1:2513 May 2004York Hall, London, England
6Win6–0Eric PatracTKO1 (4), 2:2024 Apr 2004Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England
5Win5–0Kristian LaightPTS47 Feb 2004 York Hall, London, England
4Win4–0Jaz VirdeeTKO1 (4), 1:1324 Jan 2004 Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
3Win3–0Vladimir VarhegyiTKO3 (4), 1:446 Nov 2003Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England
2Win2–0Csaba LadanyiTKO1 (4), 2:2118 Sep 2003Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England
1Win1–0Stevie QuinnKO1 (4), 3:0017 Jul 2003Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England

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References

  1. "116th ABA National Championships 2003 York Hall, London". England Boxing. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  2. "Mitchell battles to Ashie victory" BBC Sport . BBC. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  3. "Win rewards Mitchell's patience". BBC Sport . BBC. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  4. "Mitchell delivers KO blow". Sky Sports . Sky. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. Davies, Gareth A (5 December 2009). "Kevin Mitchell sets up WBO lightweight title bid after beating Breidis Prescott on points". The Daily Telegraph . Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. Hassan, Nabil (17 July 2011). "Kevin Mitchell stops John Murray in the eighth round". BBC Sport . BBC. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. "Burns retains lightweight title". BBC Sport.
  8. "Live Commentary: Froch vs. Groves - as it happened". 31 May 2014.
  9. "Kevin Mitchell stops Daniel Estrada in eight rounds to set up a world title shot". Sky Sports . Sky. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  10. "Photo: Kevin Mitchell's Gruesome Eye Injury After TKO". BoxingScene. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  11. Anderson, David (12 December 2015). "Kevin Mitchell battered by Ismael Barroso and left needing oxygen as world title hopes end". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  12. Robinson, Isaac (10 February 2016). "Kevin Mitchell calls off European title shot and retires from boxing". Sky Sports . Sky. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
David Mullholland
ABA featherweight champion
2003
Next:
David Mullholland
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Alex Arthur
IBF Inter-Continental
super-featherweight champion

10 December 2005 – July 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Karim Chakim
Vacant
Title last held by
Karim Chakim
IBF Inter-Continental
super-featherweight champion

8 September 2006 – October 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Emmanuel Tagoe
Vacant
Title last held by
Alex Arthur
Commonwealth
super-featherweight champion

28 October 2006 – September 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Ricky Burns
Vacant
Title last held by
Román Martínez
WBO Inter-Continental
super-featherweight champion

14 July 2007 – August 2007
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Román Martínez
Preceded by British super-featherweight champion
8 March 2008 – December 2009
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Gary Sykes
Vacant
Title last held by
Amir Khan
WBO Inter-Continental
lightweight champion

5 December 2009 – November 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Robert Guerrero
Vacant
Title last held by
Robert Guerrero
WBO Inter-Continental
lightweight champion

16 July 2011 – June 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Carlos Molina
Vacant
Title last held by
Andrey Klimov
IBF Inter-Continental
lightweight champion

5 October 2013 – May 2015
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Richard Commey
Vacant
Title last held by
Javier Prieto
WBC Silver lightweight champion
31 January 2015 – 30 May 2015
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Emiliano Marsili