Australian WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis will defend his title against London boxer Kevin Mitchell at West Ham United’s Upton Park stadium, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed.
Warren described the May 15 bout – expected to draw a crowd of 25,000 – as “historic”.
“The response from all over London has been fantastic,” Warren said.
“We’ve waited a long time for a London fighter who can fill stadiums, and Kevin can be that man.
“If he beats Katsidis then you are going to see more big fights at West Ham. I can promise you that May 15 is going to be an atmospheric and historic occasion.”
Mitchell, from Dagenham in east London, has won all 31 of his professional fights.
The 25-year-old has been a Hammers fan since childhood and said fighting at his team’s home ground would fulfill a life-long ambition.
“I grew up watching West Ham play and if I hadn’t been a boxer I would have been a footballer,” he said.
“The fans in the East End are very special people, and to get the opportunity to fight in front of them is a dream come true.”
Toowoomba boy Katsidis, whose record is 26-2, 21 KOs, has held the belt intermittently since 2007 after he beat Englishman Graham Earl, also in London.
-AAP