Filed under: Boxing
Kevin Mitchell's run-in with the law is just yet another potential setback for the troubled Londoner and will no doubt distract him in the build-up to his July clash with British rival
John Murray, which will still go ahead as planned.
Mitchell is currently on bail after being arrested, alongside his mother, on April 15 for alleged possession of drugs. He has been questioned by Dagenham Police but has not been charged.
Frank Warren, who promotes both Mitchell and Murray, insists their July date is still to go ahead despite Mitchell's arrest.
Warren said last week: "I've managed to get another domestic super fight off the ground.
European lightweight champion John Murray will take on former world title challenger Kevin Mitchell in the summer, probably in July. It's a great fight and I'm really excited about it."
But the promoter will no doubt be feeling less excited about the domestic dust-up after Mitchell's most recent problem.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the promoter confirmed: "Kevin Mitchell has been arrested and released on Police bail, but has not been charged. Kevin Mitchell denies all charges, but has been asked to report back to Dagenham Police Station in June.
"His fight against John Murray is still due to take place in the summer, and a date will be announced shortly."
Warren was irked before with Mitchell after he complained that the Londoner was cutting corners before his big fight with
Michael Katsidis last year, a bout he eventually went on to lose comprehensively after he was mauled for three rounds before the referee stepped in.
That sent Mitchell into depression and the 26-year-old openly admitted he spent more time in his local pubs than gym which further infuriated Warren who was looking to get his career back on course.
And when Warren finally got Mitchell on board to face Murray earlier this year, he pulled out and blamed the promoter for not offering him a significant enough purse.
Those in boxing were fearing the worst for the Dagenham boxer, but last month he finally put pen to paper on a deal to face Murray and fuelled the belief was his troubles were behind him.
But now his arrest has raised further questions over Mitchell and his focus on the sport, with the British Boxing Board of Control likely to be interested in the outcome of current proceedings.
Last year, the board revoked
Ricky Hatton's boxing licence after the Manchester fighter was shown using cocaine by a national Sunday newspaper and could act if Mitchell is charged and convicted.
That would force Mitchell out of the summer clash with Murray and prolong an absence from the ring which now stretches over a year.
Murray would also be left reeling, as the undefeated 26-year-old has been itching to face his British rival and earn himself a world title shot.
But at the moment the fight goes ahead as planned, as no charges have yet to be brought against Mitchell who has to return to the police in June when the situation will become clearer.
Warren is set to announce the official date for the July match-up soon, and hopefully Mitchell's problems won't deny the once-promising Londoner an anticipated return.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/28/frank-warren-insists-fight-goes-ahead-despite-kevin-mitchells-l/
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