Mitchell given dressing down as poor preparations ruin big night

KEVIN Mitchell vowed he would rise again after "family issues" wrecked preparations for his three-round defeat by Michael Katsidis.

Mitchell was read the riot act by promoter Frank Warren and trainer Jimmy Tibbs for allowing distractions at home to undermine his challenge for the interim WBO lightweight title.

The 25-year-old West Ham fan from Dagenham saw the biggest night of his career meet a disastrous ending at Upton Park when Katsidis inflicted his first defeat in 32 fights.

It later emerged that Mitchell, who opted against holding a training camp, lost focus during a troubled build-up. "I had some family issues and a few problems at home," said Mitchell, one of Britain's top prospects.

"This is definitely a wake-up. I need to be more professional in what I'm doing.

"But I'm 100 per cent certain that I will win a world title when it comes up."

Warren issued an angry response when learning that Mitchell had failed to dedicate himself to a fight that would have propelled him into the big time had he won.

"It really p***es me off hearing that Kevin's preparations weren't as good as they should have been," said Warren. "If Kevin doesn't want to play at this game I'm certainly not financing it."

Tibbs, his trainer for the last three fights, also carpeted Mitchell. "I wasn't happy with his preparations for the fight. If you want to be a champion at any level you've got to live the life," said Tibbs.

Mitchell, the clear favourite, made a reasonable start by moving, using his jab and firing brisk combinations, but it all unravelled in the third when Katsidis landed a big left hook, the cue to launch an all-out assault that finished when referee Dave Parris stepped in to end the contest.