Kevin Mitchell has vowed to rip John Murray apart when they meet on July 9 at London's ExCeL Arena.

 

With just over a week to go before the fight, Mitchell has upped the war of words between the two fighters.

 

And he says although there is mutual respect between the two protagonists for the vacant WBO Intercontinental lightweight title, all that will now disappear.

 

"Whenever we've been in the same room as each other, we've been polite," said Mitchell.

 

"But it's time for all that to stop.

 

"The fight is just around the corner, and I've got my fight head on now.

 

"When I get in that ring I am going to rip John Murray apart.

 

"He's standing between me and a world title fight and I want to knock his head off.

 

"I plan to be throwing bombs as soon as that first bell goes.

 

"When I come head-to-head with him next week at the final press conference I'm going to front him up and tell him that I am going to knock him out.

 

"I truly believe that is what will happen in our fight.

 

"I've never felt in better shape, and I am so far ahead of where I was going into the Katsidis fight.

 

"My training camp has been spot on, and Murray is in for a shock next week. There will be no more Mr Nice Guy outside the ring, and definitely no Mr Nice Guy inside it."

 

Tickets for North 'n South are available now, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, from 0844 844 0444 or ticketmaster.co.uk