Kevin Mitchell wants fourth shot at a world title in February

Kevin Mitchell is confident he can be fighting for a world title for a fourth time in February.

The 30-year-old London lightweight (39-3-0-KO29) failed in his third world title bid in May when he was stopped by WBC champion Jorge Linares in the 10th round of a thrilling battle at the O2 Arena.

But Mitchell is adamant the nasty cuts he suffered were not a result of clean shots from the Veneuzuelan and is determined to push on in his quest for world honours.

Mitchell told Sky Sports: "I feel like I should have the belt. It got stopped for cuts from loads of headbutts. It's probably the most gutting fight I've had in my 20-year career.

"It's made me get back in the gym. I like getting back in the gym with all the young boys and work on new things with Tony. I'm getting the weight down again.

I feel like I should have the belt. It got stopped for cuts from loads of headbutts. It's probably the most gutting fight I've had in my 20-year career.

"I'm going to be back here on December 12. I'd like to fight a world-class fighter. My last three fights have been world class, so I want to stay at world class. I'm hoping for an eliminator and then to fight for a world title in February."

Mitchell is one of a crop of British lightweights up at world level. Terry Flanagan is the current WBO champion and his fellow Mancunian Anthony Crolla fights Darleys Perez for the WBA crown in November in a rematch of their July bout - which Mitchell says Crolla won.

Mitchell said: "I thought he won. He did win. You don't mind losing fights when you get beat. Ricky Burns, who's one of my best mates, he beat me. I hold my hands up - I got beat.

"When you win fights and you don't get them, and you've trained 20 years of our lives to get where we want and the judges rob you like they did with Crolla, I think it's a joke. It's a shambles. He should be a world champion.

"He can pull it off [in the rematch] but I think Perez will be stiffer this time around."

Mitchell also predicted glory for another Briton hoping to get his hands on a world title - Tyson Fury, who will attempt to dethrone IBF, WBA Super and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on October 24, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

"I was with Tyson the other week in Leeds and had a good chat to him for quite a while," Mitchell said. "I told him that if I didn't fancy him winning, I'd tell him straight. I think he's too fresh, young and hungry.

"I think Fury beats him. I'm going out there as well. I think it'll be a late knockout or points for Fury. He's too big and too strong and too angry."