A big night for British boxing tonight.
First on SkySports1 is Kevin Mitchell v Michael Katsidis. Mitchell is an undefeated boxer from Dagenham with a very textbook style. He's fighting for the WBO-Interim Lightweight title, which basically means if he wins he'll fight Juan Manuel Marquez or Marquez will vacate his title which will make Mitchell the actual champion. I'm gonna liken tonight to Ricky Hatton's first title win against Kostya Tszyu in 2005, which was basically Hatton's "coming out fight". Tonight's the same for Mitchell, he's been criminally overlooked by the British media, yet he's unbeaten in 31 fights. Remember that dude that sparked Khan out in 50 seconds? Mitchell beat him beautifully over 12 rounds and made it look easy.
The guy he's fighting is a warrior as well, Katsidis, he had a 5 round war with Graham Earl a few years back which was like something out of Rocky. Katsidis will make this a war and Mitchell can take and throw a punch so I can see this being a toe to toe brawl. It has fight of the year written all over it.
That's at 8pm on Sky Sports 1.
On the undercard: Derek Chisora (loud mouth undefeated British heavyweight) v Danny Williams
The Olympians, James Degale, Billy Joe Saunders and Frankie Gavin are also fighting which makes up a cracking card.
Then tonight from Madison Square Garden:
Amir Khan defends his WBA Light Welterweight Championship and Paulie Malignaggi
Which is on ITV at 02:45am. Also on that undercard is Victor Ortiz v Nate Campbell. Wins for Ortiz and Khan could see them both set up for a clash at the end of the year. Ortiz who was thought of as one of the biggest prospects in American boxing suffered a set back last year when he was KO'd by Marcos Maidana, a massive power puncher who Khan ducked in order to fight Malignaggi. As you might remember Malignaggi fought Ricky Hatton in Nov 08 and lost when his corner pulled him out unfairly. He was no where in the fight but didn't need to be stopped with only one round to go. Malignaggi has improved since then, beating Juan Diaz twice but only being awarded one decision. He ain't a power puncher and probably won't KO Khan (but with Khan's chin you never know, Willie Limond hurt Khan and he wasn't a power puncher either!), but Paulie is a fast footed, durable, technician who isn't gonna be blasted away in the first round. Hatton's the only guy to stop Malignaggi. Miguel Cotto is the only fighter to put him down. Khan is in for a tough night.
So, it's gonna be a boss night of boxing.