Alex Steedman / 10 May 2010 Free Bet View Market

"What Katsidis has in terms of big fight experience, as well as that numbing punch power, he concedes in lack of subtlety. He's adept at rolling under punches to land the bombs, particularly early on but he fights like throwing a jab is a sign of weakness."

Amir Khan's American debut in New York will grab the headlines this weekend but boxing fans in the know will be salivating at the prospect of Kevin Mitchell and Michael Katsidis getting it on in London.

Eastender Mitchell has long been one of Britain's best young talents but Katsidis himself is well liked over here having encouraged an army of new admirers on his last visit to the capital. Just over three years ago Katsidis literally went to war with Graham Earl and emerged from a humdinger with his reputation as a heavy handed warrior very much cemented. He's gone on to underline the point in several X-rated tear ups since.

In terms of levels and form, Katsidis ought to be favourite, but at ([2.36]) he is bigger than Mitchell who is odds on ([1.7]). Sometimes the odds makers are guilty of leaning towards the homeboy but I think on this occasion the market is right to do so. What Katsidis has in terms of big fight experience, as well as that numbing punch power, he concedes in lack of subtlety. He's adept at rolling under punches to land the bombs, particularly early on but he fights like throwing a jab is a sign of weakness. From the moment the Aussie-Greek pulls on that warrior helmet for the ring entrance he fights with one thing on his mind. He may need more than that to beat Mitchell.

The Londoner may have moved through the ranks slower than many of us expected but having put serious hand issues behind him and since joining fellow Londoner Jimmy Tibbs, Mitchell has looked dangerously good in making up for lost time. His stoppage wins early last year were important confirmations that all is well with his hands but it was Mitchell's brain that was working overtime when he jumped into the frying pan to face Amir Khan's nemesis Breidis Prescott in December. That performance was the stuff of a future world champion.

That night Mitchell was remarkably composed for a young hot-head and boxed beautifully to a plan. He repeatedly frustrated a taller, heavy-hitting opponent and ran out a comfortable decision winner. It was on a par with David Haye's defeat of Nikolai Valuev for me and as surprising as that was tactically. It was a 'who would have thought' moment and a significant breakthrough. Kevin Mitchell is a spiteful fighter and a terrific boxer but he may have to rely more on his Dr Jekyll than his Mr Hyde to come out on top here.

The punting possibilities in this fight are all there with periods of orchestrated violence almost certain. Of his 24 wins, Katsidis has recorded 21 by way of KO and 9 of those have come in the first two rounds. He is likely to be very dangerous through the first half of the fight for those looking at individual rounds. At ([2.6]) for the KO there isn't huge extra incentive to back him by that method compared to the match odds but he's as likely to do just that if he wins.

Mitchell's chin hasn't been truly tested at this rarefied level but he came through a real storm against Carl Johanneson for the British and Commonwealth Super featherweight titles two years ago and just like Carl Froch, I think he's particularly solid. And he can certainly punch with 23 KOs on his unbeaten run of 31. I am a little surprised that Mitchell is ([2.42]) for the stoppage compared to ([2.76]) to win by decision as I can see this fight set up to finish early.

It is a pattern which is easy to imagine: Katsidis pressing early and winging away with those destructive hooks and Mitchell keeping the visitor occupied with the jab. There has to come a point at which he stands to deter Katisidis but I imagine the team will have a similarly strict plan in place like they did for Prescott - box and move, don't get involved unnecessarily.

There are bound to be nervy moments for Mitchell backers but he will certainly have opportunities to hurt Katsidis, who simply can't avoid being hit. I can see possibilities late on for Mitchell to produce something spectacular. Whichever way, the fight is his to win or lose. Mitchell to win late or more likely by decision looks the call but let's keep it simple and just back him to win. If you like a little bang for your buck, this is the fight for you.

Verdict: Back Kevin Mitchell @ 1.7 6PTS (0-10)