By Per Ake Persson
EBU lightweight champion Edis Tatli (26-1) will indeed defend the title against Kevin Mitchell (39-4) on March 19, to be promoted by Makiboxing (MK Event).
The site has yet to be announced but Tatli’s hometown of Helsinki, Finland is the likely destination for his first defense of the title. The 28-year old boxer comes in having scored three straight victories, including his vacant title-winning effort over Yvan Mendy last April.
His lone loss came in his bid for a world lightweight title, falling just short versus then-WBA titlist Richar Abril in Sept. ’14. The showdown versus Mitchell serves as his first title defense, having claimed a 3rd round knockout over Ramaz Bebnadze in an over-the-limit non-title fight last November.
Mitchell comes in having suffered back-to-back losses, both with a major title at stake. The all-action slugger from England was ahead on two of the three scorecards prior to suffering a heartbreaking 10th round stoppage loss to Jorge Linares last May. The follow-up was far more disastrous, as he was manhandled by Ismael Barroso before being stopped in five rounds last December.
In addition MK Event-related news, a March 12 show in Paris will be headlined by EBU super welterweight champ Cedric Vitu (43-2) in a title defense versus Italy’s Stefano Castellucci (24-5) rather than Isaac Reel, his mandatory challenger.
