Mitchell's 'acid test'

Sky Sports boxing expert Adam Smith believes Kevin 'The Hammer' Mitchell has the quality to out-gun Australian warrior Michael 'The Gladiator' Katsidis.

West Ham United fan Mitchell will need all his skill, guts and determination to overcome Katsidis and lift the Interim WBO world lightweight title on Saturday evening.

Smith has told WHUTV that the bout promises to be an all-action affair fought out in the spectacular open-air surroundings of the Boleyn Ground.

"First of all, it's a wonderful event to have an open-air boxing match is few and far between. I think the last one was when Frank Bruno had an emotional ride and beat Oliver McCall for the world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in 1995.

"It's a great event and is a vital fight for Kevin Mitchell, who is unbeaten in 31 with 23 knockouts. He's had a hard seven-year career but he's just started to come through in the last six months or so.

Image removed.

"He had a wonderful win over Breidis Prescott, who had knocked out Amir Khan. He beat him using class on points. He's coming off a win over the Spaniard Ignacio Mendoza, who he beat in two round at Wembley, so he's shown skills and power.

"Now, he's got the acid test against a relentless warrior in Michael Katsidis, who is proven at world level over many years. Katsidis has been here before when he broke British hearts in beating Graham Earl. He looks in great shape and it's going to be a really hard ask for Kevin Mitchell.

"Mitchell has got a lot of quality and a lot of patience and this is the big exam, so it should be a terrific night and a terrific fight."

In an exclusive interview, Smith also gave his take on the British heavyweight title bout between Danny Williams and Derek Chisora, the prospects of Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders, and the difficulties posed by fighting outdoors on a cold May evening.