Linares vs. Mitchell: BoxingScene.com Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

Jorge Linares attempts the first defense of his lightweight belt, hitting the road as he faces Kevin Mitchell in supporting capacity to a loaded fight bill Saturday evening at O2 Arena in London, England.

Topping the show, Kell Brook puts his unbeaten record and welterweight title on the line versus countryman Frankie Gavin. 

A knockout win over Javier Prieto last December saw Linares (38-3, 25KOs) capture a major title in a third weight class, having previously reigned at featherweight and junior lightweight. The win over Prieto was his second swing at lightweight glory, having previously suffered a heartbreaking knockout loss to Antonio DeMarco in their Oct. '11 war.

The loss to DeMarco was similar to how Linares' junior lightweight title reign crashed and burned. Having moved up following a brief stay as a featherweight titlist, Linares claimed a second title at 130 lb. Still unbeaten at the time, his reign lasted just under a year before being lit up inside of a round by upstart Juan Carlos Salgado. 

Four wins followed, though largely against retreads heading into his showdown with DeMarco. Linares seemed to have put it all together for about nine rounds before the fight went miserably south, as DeMarco overcame a massive deficit on the scorecards to stop the Venezuelan in 11 rounds. 

A follow-up cuts-induced stoppage loss to Sergio 'Yeyo' Thompson the following March looked to be the end of Linares. Dropped and bloodied, Linares' career appeared to have hit a dead end in Mexico. 

Seven wins and another title later, Linares remains a formidable figure in a lightweight division that continues to undergo massive changes at the top level. 

Mitchell (39-2, 29KOs) is arguably a mirror image of his title fight counterpart, save for the actual title win. 

The all-action Brit has racked up plenty of big wins to keep his name in the mix. A decisive 12-round win over Breidis Prescott—back in Dec. '09, when such a win still meant something—eventually led to an interim title challenger versus Michael Katsidis, though going out in three rounds in their May '10 tilt. 

More than a year away from (in part due to an arrest alleging ties to selling cocaine and operating a marijuana farm) allowed Mitchell to clear his head to the point of scoring a massive upset, stopping then-unbeaten John Murray in eight rounds in their July '11 meet. 

Both fighters went on to challenge for a belt. Murray fell prey to Brandon Rios later that year in New York City, while Mitchell's bid at a genuine lightweight belt resulted in a 4th round knockout loss to Ricky Burns in Sept. '12. 

Mitchell has since posted six straight wins, including an 8th round knockout of consensus Top 10 lightweight contender Daniel Estrada to earn tonight's opportunity. 

Can Linares survive a firefight on the road and maintain his stay among the world's best lightweights? Or will Mitchell finally put it altogether and claim that long-sought career-defining win?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the lightweight action will play out. 

JORGE LINARES vs. KEVIN MITCHELL 

Simply too much power and speed for Mitchell.

I know that Linares' chin—and general lack of punch resistance—is always a liability whenever he steps it up in class. I'm just not sure Mitchell represents that step, nor has the Brit ever been known for his ability to absorb. 

Mitchell has power and speed but always seems to lack mentally. Linares might not be tough but he's good enough to stop the Englishman.

Linares is more talented and he's on a bit of a roll. Mitchell is durable and due for a big win. Let's take the hometown kid.

Linares-Mitchell is another one of the good fights this weekend. Linares is the better all-around fighter but his downfall will be the durability of his face taking punches. If the tissue holds up and I think it will, He’ll force a late stoppage on Mitchell.

Jorge Linares seems to have found in Ismael Salas, the right coach. Mitchell is an aggressive and very fast fighter, his left hand is powerful and Linares must should not be neglected. It is a dizzying fight, where anything can happen. Linares should impose its best boxing skills, we see him as winner by TKO, because win by points outside his patio, it will not be so easy.

Both are flawed. Linares has a character to transcend his skills onto the world level. Mitchell was previously smacked in his career-defining fights with Burns and Katsidis. But this one - I have a feeling - should be different. Kevin looked re-energized and reborn recently. Linares got a gift title against Prieto, who was no match to him. This time he will be blitzed Thompson-style and stopped in short but brutal war.

Linares–5

Mitchell–2