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Khan bait for title hope Mitchell
Kevin Mitchell will aim to make short work of George Ashie on Saturday and close in on a dream clash with fellow Briton Amir Khan.
Mitchell fronts up for the Commonwealth super featherweight title against Ghana's Ashie at London's York Hall.
And with promoter Frank Warren hinting that a future Mitchell v Khan showdown is on the cards, the Dagenham fighter is out to log a quickfire win.
"I'm going to get into Ashie. I know I have to knock him out early," he said.
Like Olympic silver medallist Khan, unbeaten Mitchell is Warren's other outstanding youngster and has similarly been tipped for a glittering career in the ring.
He currently fights at a weight division lower than Khan but could easily out-grow 9st 4lbs over the next two years.
The 21-year-old hopes victory against Ashie on Saturday, on the undercard of Graham Earl's WBU world lightweight bid against Angel Ramirez, will lift his profile higher.
Warren admitted: "Provided they stay at the same weight, and provided they both keep winning, the big fight for Amir would be Mitchell.
"People keep talking about it and it would be a great fight a bit further down the line."
However, Mitchell, with 21 wins from 21 bouts, insists he is not looking any further ahead than his East End dust-up with Ashie, adding he is prepared for some rather less than subtle underhand tactics.
"I put on a video of his recent clash with Scotsman Martin Watson up in Edinburgh and it made my eyes water just watching it, there were so many low blows," Mitchell said.
"Right from the off his punches were slipping below the belt, and Ashie even had a point deducted by the referee because he was so dirty.
"I know I've got to get to him quick to prevent any funny business."
Earl will also be desperate for an impressive victory at York Hall on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Luton battler is eyeing an early 2007 crack at the vacant WBO lightweight title against unbeaten Australian Michael Katsidis.
But first, the former British champion must overcome Spanish-based Argentine Ramirez, who is unbeaten in 21 and on a run seven consecutive stoppage victories.
Although the WBU title is often derided, it has provided a useful stepping stone into world class for the likes of Ricky Hatton and Enzo Maccarinelli.
Earl will hope for a repeat of his career-best win against Yuri Romanov in Dagenham in January as he looks to take the next step up the ladder.
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