Frank Warren - "Amir Khan has taken an easy fight"

May 15 is a big night for British boxing when both Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell are headlining their bills.

While Khan punches many miles away from his Bolton roots, Stateside against Paulie Malignaggi, Mitchell (31-0) will be just a few miles from his East End home fighting at his beloved West Ham United ground with Australian Michael Katsidis (26-2) trying to spoil Mitchell’s home comforts.

Kevin and Michael came face to face earlier today at the Hammers home to publicise their WBO interim lightweight title fight with promoter Frank Warren predicting something special.

“This is the most important fight of the night and is a candidate for the fight of the year. I believe in Kevin and think this is his time. He has great potential and this is a real fight.”

When I asked Warren for comparisons between the two fights he added it was a no contest.

“Malignaggi is an easy fight for Amir while Kevin has taken a hard one. Amir is fighting in front of 5,000 while Kevin will have 20,000.”

Katsidis has built a reputation on a powerful all action style and Frank feels Kevin will have to be clever.

“To win Kevin must fight with his head and not his heart.”

The promoter is confident though that Mitchell will come out on top despite not comitting to a prediction as I pressed him.

“I have put my money where my mouth is.”

The press conference was good natured with both men realising a real fight needs no hard sell and there could be an even bigger prize for the winner is expected to fight Juan Manuel Marquez the current champion if he doesn’t vacate beforehand.

Mitchell, a life-long West Ham fan, is delighted to be having his big night out at his own theatre of dreams and comfortable to be up at lightweight.

“To have it at my own football ground is crazy and shows boxing is on the up; making super-featherweight use to kill me.”

Both smiled often and appeared relaxed but Katsidis didn’t give too much away in terms of game-plan.

“I fight on instinct, I’ll see how it goes.”

His instinct will soon set in that he is in for the fight of his life and we could all be witnessing a fight we will remember for life.