Kevin Mitchell insists he has turned over a new leaf as he prepares to face John Murray in their WBO Intercontinental title fight on July 9.
Lightweight insists personal problems were behind Katsidis loss
Kevin Mitchell insists he has turned over a new leaf as he prepares to face John Murray in their WBO Intercontinental title fight on July 9.
The Dagenham lightweight has not fought since losing his unbeaten record against Michael Katsidis in a world title fight over 12 months ago.
However, it emerged that Mitchell was struggling with family problems in the lead-up to the fight, trouble the fighter says cost him any chance of victory.
But with those issues now firmly behind him, Mitchell is fully focused on resurrecting his career against the undefeated Murray.
"I knew I could beat this kid but I had a lot of family issues going on at the time," he admitted. "I've never had that problem in my whole career.
"I had a lot of things on my mind, I was missing out on training sessions and I was hardly running.
"I should have been mature and pulled out of the fight. If I had been beaten by a better man I would hold my hands up but that was not the case.
"I've got myself sorted out and I've been happy, been good. Things happen for a reason and I know what I am capable of doing."
Toughest test
Mitchell faces a difficult opponent on his return though in Murray, the former British champion who has defended the European belt twice in the past year.
And the Mancunian is working harder than ever in preparation for what is undoubtedly his toughest test so far.
"I am going to push myself to the limit because I need to be in top shape if I am going to do a real good job on Kevin, which is what I expect," he said.
"I will go to the gym, then to my mum's house, eat, sleep and run. I will be like a machine for the next six weeks. But you have to live like a monk.
"I am hoping this is the year I make it and get a world title shot. That's what I need. I need to be world champion. That's been the dream since I turned pro."
Trainer Joe Gallagher has also made a public plea for Murray's friends and fans to get behind the 26-year-old.
"He needs to be tactically and - crucially - physically in top shape or he can kiss goodbye to the world title shot we've worked so hard to get," he told the
Manchester Evening News.
"So if any of his so-called friends fancy a night out between now and July 9, do me a favour and don't even bother calling John.
"Likewise if John calls you bored one night, remind him how hard he has worked to get this far. If he fancies a pizza or some other junk food, tell him 'No'."
"It might sound harsh, but that's the way it's got to be."
