Mitchell is a lifelong West Ham fan and has watched his team struggle under manager Gianfranco Zola.But he hopes that winning ways can return to Upton Park when he tackles WBO world lightweight champion Michael Katsidis.
He says the chance of fighting at Upton Park is a “dream come true” – even though it has been arranged by his Arsenal-loving promoter Frank Warren.
It promises to be the biggest show since more than 50,000 packed the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, for Joe Calzaghe’s super-middleweight unification fi ght against Mikkel Kessler in 2007.
And Mitchell reckons that it will match some of the massive events of the 1990s featuring Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Frank Bruno.
For Mitchell, it will be a chance to perform at the stadium where many of his heroes plied their trade, including World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst.
He said: “I grew up watching West Ham and if I hadn’t been a boxer, I would have been a footballer.”
The unbeaten Mitchell added: “I think one of my proudest moments was being introduced to the fans down here before a game and getting an amazing reception.
“But now I’m going to be fighting here and I still can’t quite believe it.
“The fans in the East End are very special people and to get the opportunity to fight in front of them is a dream come true.
“Boxing and football are a way of life around here, and I think you are going to see an amazing event on May 15.”
Warren said: “There is a long history of boxing in the East End stretching back to the days of Ted Kid Lewis.
“But Kevin has got the chance to do what none of the great East End fighters did, and that’s fighting for a
world title at Upton Park.
“The response from all over London has been fantastic. We’ve waited a long time for a London fighter who can fi ll stadiums, and Kevin can be that man.
“If he beats Katsidis, then you are going to see more big fights at West Ham.”
On the undercard, Sam Sexton will challenge Danny Williams for the British heavyweight title, while fellow prospect Derek Chisora features in a 10-rounder.
