Kevin Mitchell can defeat Jorge Linares, says the Mexican’s former sparring partner Jamie Kavanagh.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Mitchell will challenge for Linares’ WBC lightweight title on May 30 at London’s O2 Arena.

Kavanagh, who has shared a ring with the champion in the gym, is backing Mitchell but won’t provide any inside information.

“I’ve sparred Linares many times in the Wild Card when he was training with Freddie Roach,” the Dubliner told Sky Sports.

“That’s a difficult fight for Kevin but he’s a great boxer with all the attributes to beat Jorge.

“I’m not going to tell him how to beat Jorge because that’s Kevin’s job!”

Kavanagh (17-1-1) also has an eye on Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather after spending time training with the illustrious Filipino.

He said: “I’ve sparred with Manny but not with Floyd. It’s not Manny’s hand speed that’s the fastest – it’s his foot speed. He gets into distance and out of distance and creates distance.

“I’ve sparred him for three of his camps. It’s always intense not just because of who you’re in the ring with, but it’s who’s outside of the ring that you want to impress.

“I was just a young kid trading leather with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

“Floyd will have big trouble on the night if he gets away from his boxing – but I don’t think he will, and I think he’ll come out victorious.”

Golden Boy fighter Kavanagh will return to action on March 20 on the undercard for Yoshihiro Kamegai v Alfonso Gomez at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.