Watt, Nelson, McCrory, Froch, Moore and the man himself
Thursday 11 February 2016 14:20, UK
Kevin Mitchell has called it a day after one of the most slick, stylish and dramatic British boxing careers.
Even though he didn't win a world title, the West Ham fan will be remembered for some brilliant fights and fearsome battles down the years.
We asked The Panel to pick out their favourite Mitchell match-ups, with the man himself having the final say...
He had so many [great fights], so it was hard to choose but the Carl Johanneson fight was my favourite. It was so exciting. He was out of it on several occasions that night but he just kept digging in. We knew Mitchell was an amazingly talented young kid and it all looked like it was falling into place - until then.
It was the first time he had to dig in and grind out a result and that will stay with me. It was a terrific performance. Johanneson was hard and Mitchell showed that he had that in abundance as well. It was his first real test, but he came through it.
Looking back, it will just remind me of how tough this game is - and that you need a little luck. Katsidis still had loads to offer, Burns was flying at the time and Linares is the best lightweight in the world.
It was one that brought the best out of him... John Murray. Mitchell showed just how good his technique was. He showed his power and to get through that fight showed us just what he had. It was a rough, uncut diamond performance from Mitchell.
They were perfectly matched. There wasn't much size difference and it was an even fight, but Mitchell's boxing ability took over and we all saw just how good he could be. We saw it against Prescott or Estrada too. Boy, could Kevin Mitchell box. Especially on that night against Murray.
Against Linares we saw how tough he was as well. Of course we were all gutted when he didn't win the world title but he went up in my estimation so much. Total respect.
For me it was Breidis Prescott. For a start it was in Newcastle, right on my doorstep but that was a very, very dangerous fight. The Colombian had beaten Amir Khan in devastating fashion but Kev had absolutely no fear at all.
I remember chatting to him at the weigh-in and he was up for it. He'd been out for a while and his career was in jeopardy but that fight was just the best Kevin Mitchell. He just boxed Prescott to bits, all night long. Absolutely superb.
He still is, but even when he was boxing, he was a cheeky, little cockney chap! He was one of those kids that always had a friendly face - even when things weren't going his way.
Funnily enough I was watching the Murray fight the other day but - and I hate to say it because of the result - but that Jorge Linares fight was special. We all thought Kevin was on his way to finally win that world title and he looked so, so good. But those cuts, those bad injuries, put a stop to it. It was such a shame.
Mitchell was polished that night and even though he'd missed out before, against Linares he looked like he had not only arrived back on the world scene but was going to be a world champion. Forget the result, remember what was a quality performance against a top-level opponent.
There aren't many fighters around who are as good to watch as Kevin Mitchell when he was on form. I might have been a bit jerky and disjointed but he was very smooth, skilful and slick. Great to watch.
The one that stands out as Mitchell's best win is probably the John Murray fight. That was a cracking fight and a great performance. There was also Carl Johanneson years ago. The Jorge Linares fight was probably his best performance because he boxed out of his skin.
His best pure boxing performance was probably against Breidis Prescott, because he showed lots of variety in style. So in conclusion, I think the win over Murray and the heroic defeat against Linares. I know he also lost to the likes of Michael Katsidis but that was down to preparation and him not putting in the work that he should have.
He was a warrior at the end of the day. When the going got tough and he had to dig deep, he did. When he did it right, he was a difficult man to beat.
I've had so many highlights but walking out at The O2 for the Jorge Linares fight and hearing the fans cheering for me and singing 'Forever Blowing Bubbles' was just an unbelievable feeling.
I've always been close to the fight fans both in Britain and around the world, and I want to thank them for all their love and support.
I like to think I was an exciting fighter that gave the fans value for money. I don't think they make fighters like me anymore; fighters that put it all on the line every time they fight.
