• Boxing

Mitchell will be a world champion - Haye

ESPN staff
March 5, 2010
Kevin Mitchell has a WBO lightweight title shot in May © Getty Images
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WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has hailed the current crop of British boxers and claimed that Kevin Mitchell will become a world title holder this year.

Haye, who confessed that he harboured doubts as to Mitchell's credentials as a top-quality fighter prior to his defeat of Breidis Prescott, believes that the 25-year-old is now the match for anyone in the lightweight division.

Mitchell faces Michael Katsidis for the WBO lightweight championship on May 8 - a month after Haye defends his belt against John Ruiz - and the 29-year-old is convinced that Mitchell will join the ranks of British champions.

"When Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton wound down, we wondered if we would have world champions again," Haye said. "But we already have three genuine title holders in Carl Froch, Amir Khan and myself - and I can see more out there.

"Kevin Mitchell will win a world title this year. I think Mitchell could beat anyone in the world at his weight right now. I wasn't sure he had what it takes, but against Prescott he showed world-class skills and timing against a dangerous opponent. He's got it and it's the right time for him."

Haye, who defeated Nikolai Valuev in November to win his belt, added that he sees similarities between Khan and himself. "He [Khan] was written off by a lot of people after he was beaten by Prescott - like I was when Carl Thompson beat me years ago - but Amir is proving he has what it takes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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