By George Scott, courtesy of The Daily Star

DRUNKEN Kevin Mitchell was pulled out of a pub by his long-suffering parents to stop him hitting rock bottom.

Mitchell, 26, lifted the vacant WBO intercontinental lightweight title, stopping John Murray in eight ­explosive rounds at Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday.

The bruising win saved ­Mitchell’s career and promoter Frank ­Warren is now targeting a rematch against Michael Katsidis – the man who took his unbeaten record 14 months ago.

Since that defeat, Mitchell has split with partner Amanda, ­sparking a crazy boozing spree that cost him around £100,000.

Having moved back in with his mum, Alice, it was only a last-ditch effort by his parents late last year that stopped the rot.

Mitchell said: “My mum and dad haven’t been together since I was four-years-old, but they came in the boozer together.

“I was sitting slouched and they said, ‘Get out of the pub’.

“They dragged me out of the ­boozer, took me home and said, ‘What are you playing at? Get ­yourself sorted, get your life back on track’.

“I didn’t want my mum and dad coming back and embarrassing me again. Now my only interest is ­boxing and my two kids.

“Imagine sitting there with a beer in your hand and your mum and dad come in? You think, ‘What’s happening here?’”

Mitchell, 26, was cheered to his 32nd win in 33 fights by his old pub pals – but he puts his revival down to his mum.

He added: “Mum drives me bonkers and treats me like a kid, but she is always there for me and my ­brother Vinnie. She was driving me ­recently and said, ‘It feels like when you were a 12-year-old, I’m driving you to the gym’."

Aussie Katsidis stopped the ­below-par Cockney in three rounds at ­Upton Park, but Warren is ­seeking a return.

Mitchell said: “(My trainer) Jimmy ­Tibbs and Frank told me at the start of camp that if there was any messing about, the fight was off.

“I had a 12-week lockdown camp. All I did was train, sleep and spend time with my kids.”

Mancunian Murray, 26, who hadn’t been beaten since he was an amateur back in February 2003, ­suffered his first loss in 32 professional fights.

Mitchell backed his rival to bounce back, saying: “When I am world ­champion I will give John a ­rematch.”

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