Kevin Mitchell will face Marco Lopez for the IBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title at The O2 on October 5, live on Sky Sports – and hopes victory will catapult him to a World title clash with IBF king Miguel Vazquez.
Mitchell returned to action in July with a points win over Sebastian Benito at York Hall in July, his first fight since challenging Ricky Burns for the WBO title last September.
A win for the 28 year old would catapult him into the reckoning for a second crack at a World title next year, with Vazquez defending his title on September 28 against Ammeth Diaz, but Vazquez’s fellow Mexican Lopez (23-2) will have designs on the belt himself – and Mitchell says that will make it a barnstorming clash.
“It’s a great chance for me to get right on track for another World title shot,” said Mitchell. “Things are going great with Tony Sims and I’m ready for a test like this at The O2. I am determined to get back into the reckoning for the big prize next year and I’m sure Marco wants to do the same so it’s going to be a massive night.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Kevin is part of a fantastic domestic division but the ultimate goal has to be another crack at the World title. Victory against Lopez will set up a big fight later in the year and hopefully a shot at the IBF king Vazquez in 2014.”
Mitchell’s showdown with Lopez is part of a bumper bill in Greenwich as Olympic Gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE makes his professional debut. Further action comes in the shape of unbeaten Welsh Featherweight star Lee Selby defending his British and Commonwealth Featherweight titles against Ryan Walsh, the clash of unbeaten Welterweight Prizefighter champions Larry Ekundayo and Glenn Foot, plus another Prizefighter champion Wadi Camacho taking on Tony Conquest in a Cruiserweight battle.
