Арум: Риос проведёт бой с Кацидисом

John Murray and Kevin Mitchell line-up Brandon Rios

As well as the WBO inter-continental lightweight title John Murray and Kevin Mitchell are also fighting it out this Saturday night for a potential shot at WBA champ Brandon Rios.

“Bam Bam” was on sensational form when took out Urban Antillon in three rounds on the weekend in uncompromising style. The tough, heavy-hitting Mexican-American is a stone-fisted warrior who loves getting inside and is starting to look a real threat.

Rios is attracting a lot of attention and is being linked to a lot of star names, including Manny Pacquiao, he’s caught the eye of both Mitchell and Murray and both consider themselves worthy contenders for Rios WBA crown.

Murray said about his prospects of fighting Rios; "I've seen Rios' fight at the weekend and he looks like a great champion,

"I've always said that I want to fight the best, and I'd love to take him on next.

"I'm going to make a big statement in this fight to the rest of the champions in the division to sit up and take notice."

There is a strong chance that whoever wins the Murray v Mitchell bout will get a world title shot, although not necessarily against Rios. Certainly both men have outgrown the domestics and are on the cusp of the big names.

EBU champion Murray said of his plans; "Once I get this fight with Mitchell out of the way, I've then cleaned up domestically and I want to fight for a world title and Rios would be an ideal opponent.
"I've been to America before and fought over there, so I've got no problem going to the US if that's what it takes to get this fight with Rios on."

However Saturday nights rival Mitchell is determined to put a spanner in the works and afterwards wouldn’t mind a crack at Rios himself.

"Murray can talk up a fight between himself and Rios all he likes, but he's got to get past me first,” the former British super-featherweight champion said.

"I'm going to knock him out on Saturday, so he can kiss goodbye to his dream of becoming a world champion.

"Rios looks like an all-action fighter, so a fight between me and him would be an absolute classic.

"He's a genuine world champion, and like John I want to fight the best, so why not Rios?"

The likelihood is that both fighters will get to international level eventually as both have proved themselves a class above the domestic ranks. Mitchell has had a little taste of the big names in his bout against Michael Katsidas, however he was found wanting against the Australian war-machine and needs to show a marked improvement if he wants to mix it with the elite. Murray though has yet to face anyone of that ilk, but he has demolished the domestic scene, done well at European level and remains undefeated.

Therefore this Sunday will prove a huge test for the two pugilists and in many ways is a gateway fight that will determine much of their future careers, whether or not that involves Rios remains to be seen.

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