Trainer Eames leans towards Mitchell to prevail over Katsidis
If there is one Englishman who is qualified to speak on the threat WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis poses to Kevin Michell this Saturday then it is TKO gym trainer Johnny Eames. Eames was in charge of Graham Earl’s corner when he faced the Aussie in 2007.
It proved to be one of the most intensive fights British fans have seen in recent years with Katsidis the victor after Eames retired Earl at the end of the fifth round after both boxers had visited the canvas. Eames, who remembers the night like it was yesterday, naturally holds Katsidis in high esteem.
“People think he is a brawler but if you study him, every punch he throws at you is delivered straight out of the textbook. He turns the left hook over, every punch is powerful. Yeah he does get hit, but he has got a very good chin and unbelievable punching power.”
“In contrast, he cuts quite badly, and if he catches you he goes for it and that’s his weakness, he will throw caution to the wind,” continued Eames.
Eames believes Mitchell’s best chances of winning involve him boxing with a cool ahead against the Aussie powerhouse who is bound to apply lots of pressure against the unbeaten Dagenham man.
“If I was in Kevin’s corner I would be telling him exactly what I told Graham Earl to do, hit him with plenty of strong jabs, don’t run from him, don’t walk yourself back to the ropes, don’t meet him head on, you’ve got to box round him.”
“Kevin has proved everything asked of him so far. He beat a good (Breidis) Prescott although I think this is a different fight. At world level you’ve got to take a risk which is the chance I took with Graham Earl. There is no point getting to that position and then choosing who you want to fight because you can’t fight journeyman at the highest level.”
Eames was genuinely undecided when I pressed on who he believes will ultimately prevail.
“It is a difficult question. My heart says Kevin and my head also leans slightly towards Kevin, but it’s only slightly, it’s a genuine 50-50 fight. Kevin knows he has got a hard job in front of him. Kevin’s worked hard enough to win this fight and I really do hope for Kevin’s sake and Jimmy’s (Tibbs) sake he does it.”
Eames does have a soft spot for Kevin as he trained him for his first eight professional fights. Despite the fact they went their separate ways, Johnny says Kevin (who now trains at Eames’ TKO gym alongside veteran trainer Jimmy Tibbs ) is a still a good kid and that he loves him like a son.
Eames will be hoping it is Katsidis who is in the losing corner this time, but it could be like watching Katsidis and Earl all over again.
