Kevin Mitchell Wins in London to Move Closer to a World Title Shot

Kevin Mitchell finds himself on the brink of another world-title shot after his victory over Daniel Estrada on Saturday night.

The 30-year-old forced a stoppage in the eighth round at the O2 Arena in London, securing him the WBC Silver Lightweight belt.

More importantly, though, he has moved himself to the front of the queue to take on reigning WBC champion Jorge Linares.

Estrada—who had already failed in an attempt to take the WBC belt from Omar Figueroa back in September of last year—was an opponent Mitchell admitted he simply could not afford to lose to.

The Mexican arrived in the English capital boosted not only by the presence of compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez in his corner, but also knowing he held a 2.5-inch reach advantage over his opponent.

Mitchell, though, made light of being the shorter of the two.

He used his speed to stay out of range in a punch-perfect display that Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail described as a “dazzling exhibition" of boxing.

Mitchell had already put his rival down once already, in the third round, when a left hook landed with such force in the eighth that referee Ian-John Lewis stepped in to end the contest. 

Estrada—with his face badly marked up—did not complain at the timing of the stoppage. The defeat was his fourth as a professional and second when fighting outside of his homeland.

In contrast, Mitchell has now won six in a row since being beaten by Ricky Burns in 2012.

That loss is one of two the Londoner has suffered since turning pro, the other coming at the hands of Australian Michael Katsidis two years earlier.

Both defeats were in tilts for a world title, albeit had he beaten Katsidis at Upton Park, the home of his beloved West Ham Football Club, he would have been crowned interim WBO champion.

Mitchell admitted, per Nick Parkinson in the Daily Star, that personal problems had played a part in the only two blips on his record: "I blew loads of money on drink after the Katsidis fight. I took the fight against Ricky but I had been back out drinking and partying."

However, a new girlfriend and a return to trainer Tony Sims—a man he worked with so successfully during an amateur career that saw him claim the ABA Featherweight belt—has helped get him back on track. 

With life more settled outside of the ring, Mitchell has been able to focus fully on his career again.

Sims, per Sky Sports, was full of praise for his boxer on Saturday night: “He’s a great fighter, definitely world title material, I’ve told him all along that all he’s got to do is get in shape and work hard in the gym.” 

Koji Sasahara/Associated Press

Linares—who was born in Venezuela but is now based in Japan—is the man now in Mitchell’s sights.

The South American fighter defeated Javier Prieto in Tokyo last December to claim the belt after it had been stripped from Figueroa’s possession by the WBC.

Powell, though, reported on Sunday [h/t Mail Online] that Linares might be allowed to pick an opponent for a voluntary defence, possibly in April, rather than fight his mandatory challenger next.

Such a scenario would mean Mitchell has to be patient for his title tilt.

But, having admitted in his post-fight comments to dreaming of becoming a world champion since the age of 10, Mitchell should not worry about having to wait an extra couple of months for his opportunity.