Mitchell vows to put friendship aside in bid for Burns’ world title

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
8:10 AM

East Londoner Kevin Mitchell is to face pal Ricky Burns in a world title fight

Kevin Mitchell has promised not to let his friendship with WBO world lightweight champion Ricky Burns get in the way of his bid to finally land the biggest prize of all.

The ‘Dagenham Destroyer’ will go toe-to-toe with the Scot in the big domestic showdown on Saturday 22 September in Glasgow.

Mitchell saw his first attempt at the WBO crown end in heartbreak as Australian Michael Katsidis spoiled his homecoming at West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground in 2010, stunning him with a third round knock-out.

It marked the start of a 14-month absence from the ring but Mitchell returned last year to stop Jon Murray and followed that up with a points victory over Felix Lora at Bethnal Green’s York Hall in February.

The Cockney scrapper is looking to finally clinch the world title and is confident he can beat his friend - a two-time and two-weight world champion,

“You can’t beat Ricky’s personality, he’s a lovely man and a mate of mine,” Mitchell said. “We genuinely get on well and there won’t be any trash talking, but once we get in the ring we fight, that’s our job.

“I’ve wanted this fight for a long time now and Ricky has given me the chance. I’m determined to win it, but I know I’m in for a hard night’s work.”

Burns added: “Come fight night, once we step into the ring the friendship is over, this is business time.”