Mitchell patiently outpoints tough Lora at the York Hall
Kevin Mitchell (33-1) had a tougher than expected time back at the York Hall, but his superior boxing skills earned a 98-92 points decision over Spain based Dominican Felix Lora (14-9-5).
On paper, it looked like an easy nights work for the Dagenham man. After a bright start in the US, Lora's career has been spread across 12 different countries, this being his first visit to the UK. For Mitchell, a nostalgic tenth professional appearance at the York Hall was his first in almost three years, and probably his last (although that has been said before).
Mitchell (9st 13lbs 12oz) had a good look at Lora in the opener, appearing sharp and focused as he slipped most of what came his way. Lora's work consisted mainly of big swinging rights, as Mitchell kept it long and threw out straight, powerful jabs.
It looked like an early night for Mitchell in the second when Lora (10st) didn't see a crisp left hand counter punch which put him down. He looked hurt, and a little unsteady as he rose. Mitchell followed it up with perhaps too much patience, causing Lora to burst back into life, pinning Mitchell against the ropes in the closing seconds.
Lora was starting to look like a live opponent. He loaded up with more swinging rights early in the third, and was industrious, but Mitchell's left hooks and sharp jabs did enough to win the round.
In the main, Mitchell's fluid movement across the ring was making Lora's lunging punches miss, but he managed to close the gap in the fifth, catching Mitchell with a couple of solid body shots and then a left which put him off balance. Lora took the round, and Mitchell looked a little uncomfortable, but nothing he hasn't experienced before. Heads were locked at the end of the round, causing referee Ritchie Davis to administer an over-the-top reprimand to Mitchell's corner.
Mitchell regained control in the sixth, keeping Lora at distance and halting his advances with the jab. His eye was marked as he came out for the seventh, but by this time Lora had slowed a little, and his nose was cut and bleeding.
Because he boxed long, opportunities for Mitchell to exhibit his delightful combination punching skills were few and far between. When Lora did manage to get in close and put Mitchell on the ropes, defensive upper body movement and tidy side stepping got him out of trouble.
And he followed trainer Jimmy Tibbs' advice to stay out of trouble, because the Dominican still had plenty of beans and was having some success targetting Mitchell's body, until a left uppercut in the ninth weakened him and he began to look a little despondent. Mitchell had patiently halted his advances, and Lora himself went on the back foot in the later stages of the round.
The final round was vigorous. With nothing to lose, Lora came out swinging. Mitchell was prepared to trade and entertain the York Hall crowd, and looked like he might stop Lora in the final thirty seconds when he stepped it up, landing a left hook which caused Lora to hold on. When they broke, Mitchell backed off to see out the fight. Richie Davies scored it 98-92 to Mitchell, which was about right.
Lora clearly took the fifth and definitely earned his money. He was outboxed, but I can't see too many domestic lightweights fancying it against him. He puts a lot of pop in his punches and always looked dangerous against arguably the UK's top lightweight, who has displayed world class boxing skills and is a genuine world title contender, providing he manages to apply the brains he shows inside the ring to his affairs outside of it.
I’d like to see Mitchell fight Brandon Rios next, in the US.
Undercard report to follow
