Katsidis blows Mitchell away

Kevin Mitchell was blasted out in three rounds by Michael Katsidis to shatter his hopes of seizing the interim WBO lightweight title at Upton Park.

Fighting in front of a 14,000 crowd, the fanatical West Ham fan suffered his first defeat in 32 fights when he was rescued one minute and 57 seconds into the round by referee Dave Parris.

The loss will have done major damage to Mitchell's hopes of meeting British rival Amir Khan in a domestic superfight and he will have to go back to the drawing board if he is to win a world title.

The 25-year-old from Dagenham was outmuscled by Katsidis and made the fatal error of being drawn into a brawl with the relentlessly brutal Australian.

Showing his trademark aggression, Katsidis found his mark in the opening round when he hunted Mitchell down.

He was made to look clumsy at times during the second, however, as Mitchell overcame a nervy start to begin outmanoeuvring his opponent and firing some smart combinations but it all unravelled in a dramatic third when Mitchell allowed himself to be dragged into a brawl.

A left hook stunned Mitchell and he never properly recovered, even though he retaliated at time with small bursts.

Sensing the Londoner was there for the taking, the stronger Katsidis marched forward reigning blows upon the retreating Mitchell.

With Mitchell pinned up against the ropes, Katsidis started unloading until the dazed home favourite turned away, prompting Parris to step in.