With 'Prince' Naseem Hamed out of boxing, Joe Calzaghe recently retired and Ricky Hatton's retirement seemingly imminent, in recent months it's been easy to wonder where the next wave of true British boxing superstars will come from.
Some people have answered that question by raising the subject of the enigmatic Nottingham boxer Carl Froch. At 26-0 (20 KOs), holder of the WBC super middleweight title and participant in the prestigious 'Showtime Super Six World Classic', it seems that Froch should already be a true superstar. But for whatever reason, the ข่าวมวย has simply not accepted him and his fantastic victories over Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell have been seen by a minimal public.
However, British boxing fans need not worry. Three boxing stars are rising through the ranks and poised to ensure that there will be many great boxing nights, both here and abroad, for the next 5-10 years as we support the most talented boxers on our shores. Interestingly, the three most talented boxers actually draw some very close parallels to the three legends mentioned at the beginning of this article.
The new Ricky Hatton?
Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell, 31-0 (23 KOs), was long considered an attractive boxing prospect by boxing fans. Like Ricky Hatton, Mitchell turned pro after winning an ABA title at the tender age of just 18, rather than trying to triumph internationally in the amateur ranks.
Yet with his perfect boxing display scoring a nearly 12-point decision over Breidis Prescott in December 2009, Mitchell graduated from world-class prospect to true world title contender.
Mitchell has many similarities to Hatton - they can both box brilliantly but often prefer to fight and both possess knockout power, just look at Hatton's chilling knockout of Carlos Maussa or Mitchell's annihilation of Ignacio Mendoza as supporting evidence.
Also, both fighters have an almost fanatic fan base; Hatton's has traveled the world to follow him en masse, as well as filling the Manchester City football stadium (over 55,000 attendees), while Mitchell is expected to draw a crowd of over 35,000 for his next contest at West's house. Ham Football Club, Upton Park, London's East End.
There's also the fact that both have been carried through the ranks very cautiously by Britain's top promoter Frank Warren. Hatton's graduation to world class against the excellent Australian Kostya Tszyu was his 39th competition as a professional.
Mitchell's next contest, his 32nd, will be his first foray into the world title level. Coincidentally, it will also see him take on an Australian opponent, Michael Katsidis, in a fight that is targeted as for the interim WBO lightweight title, although rumors persist that the fight could be for the full title if Juan Manuel Márquez ascends. to the light welterweight division.