Khan urges Mitchell to put loss behind him
Amir Khan has backed Kevin Mitchell to return to the ring stronger for the experience after his defeat to Michael Katsidis.
Mitchell was dismantled inside three rounds on Saturday by Katsidis at Upton Park in what was the first loss of the Dagenham fighter's professional career. Afterwards Mitchell, 25, revealed that his preparation for the bout had been undermined by personal problems.
Khan, who suffered his first professional defeat with an opening-round knockout at the hands of Breidis Prescott in 2008 before bouncing back to win the WBA light-welterweight title less than a year later, said: "That was a massive fight for him that would have made him a big star, especially in the States because Katsidis is a big name. But I'm sure he will learn from that and bounce back stronger."
He added: "For him to come back I think he needs to beat another big name - someone like John Murray - in Britain and then that will put him back up to where he needs to be.
"He needs to get in the gym, train hard and forget about the defeat.
"I remember being defeated and coming back - it is tough and he needs to get his confidence back up.
"I think it won't be too hard for him and he is still young. But he needs to get focused, keep winning and make no more mistakes."
Date published :
20 May 2010 - 09:59:00
