Boxing: Mighty Mexican to crush Mitchell’s World Title dreams.

The tough and gritty Daniel Estrada has what it takes to shock the o2 crowd on Saturday night.

Only the bravest and most determined fighters pick themselves up from the most devastating of defeats. In 2012, Kevin Mitchell’s nightmare became a reality. The moment he had waited for his entire career had passed in the space of just 4 rounds. The Englishman was blown away by Ricky Burns in their World Lightweight bout, a fight which many thought would see the end of Mitchell.

Meanwhile, the East-ender had other plans. Three years down the line, a change in trainer and four wins later, Mitchell finds himself at the very top of his game and on the cusp of another World Title fight. However, rugged Mexican Daniel Estrada stands in his way and possesses more than enough to make it an extremely difficult night for Mitchell.

The fight pits together two of the divisions more experienced campaigners. Kevin ‘Mighty’ Mitchell has seen it all. At 30 years old, the Romford born boxer has 38 wins on his record and only 2 losses. There’s no doubt he’s an extremely talented fighter and his 70% KO ratio shows us he’s packs a punch. Devastating KO wins over John Murray and Marco Antonio Lopez emphasise that power and showed what a classy fighter Mitchell can be.

However, the 2 losses on Mitchell’s resume were very damaging and raised a lot of questions. The Londoner was destroyed by both Australian Michael Katsidis and Scot Ricky Burns for the World Title. It would seem every time Mitchell has stepped up to the very highest level he simply hasn’t been up to scratch.

One thing’s for sure Mitchell can’t afford to be anything but his best against Daniel Estrada. In many ways the 29 year old is your typical tough, gritty Mexican, however his last fight against the highly regarded World Champion Omar Figueroa showed he’s more than that.

The Mexican stood toe to toe with Figueroa and had him on the ropes at many times in the bout. Estrada was eventually on the receiving end of a special flourish of punches from the Champ and was stopped in the 9th. However, a testament to the performance of Estrada is that he’s been chucked straight back into the mix in this fight with Mitchell and I give him a great chance of winning it.

The 29 year old boasts a similar record to Mitchell with 32 wins, 3 losses and a 66% KO ratio. The Mexican also boasts an impressive 2 ½ inches in height and 4 ½ inch reach advantage over Mitchell – a physical edge that should allow Estrada to dominate the style of the fight.

If Estrada chooses, he’s capable of keeping the Englishman at long range and pestering him with his jab. Alternatively, the Mexican is more than willing to have a tear up which we’ve seen he can do to good affect against Figueroa.

In a must win bout for both fighters, I can see Estrada using his physical advantage to dominate the pace of the fight early and choose to engage in an old school tear-up with Mitchell late on and get the KO.

I’m going against the bookies on this one who offer Mitchell as a 4/11 favourite and I’m backing Mexican Estrada to pull through at 2/1.