Exclusive Q&A: Kevin Mitchell reveals why son Connor is destined for glory

Kevin Mitchell is convinced his son Connor will eclipse his achievements in the ring by becoming a world champion.

He will be the proudest man in London on Wednesday night when the 20-year-old super-bantamweight makes his pro debut on the undercard of Giorgio Visioli's clash with Joe Howarth at Indigo at The O2. 

And Mitchell, who retired in February 2016 after a glittering career that included title tilts against Ricky Burns and Jorge Linares, firmly believes his lad has what it takes to make it to the top.

Ahead of Connor’s bow in the paid ranks, which you can watch live on DAZN, we caught up with his dad for a chat.

DAZN News: How are you feeling about Wednesday?

Kevin Mitchell: It's going to be quite exciting — I’m very excited for what he's going to do. He isn't Kevin Mitchell, he's Connor Mitchell. He's a different fighter to me. He doesn't mess about, so I know he'll be prepared.

• Read next | Connor Mitchell turns professional

DN: Your world title challenges didn’t go to plan. Can Connor succeed where you didn’t?

KM: Definitely. He’s got the right people around him and I think he can be a multiple world champion. He's got a lot going for him. That's why I'm excited for what he's going to do.

He's not had to bring the dog out of himself yet. What I'm excited to see is when he starts going through the gears, when he starts enjoying hurting people, knocking people out. He's got that in him. Once he starts believing in himself and what he can do, that's when we'll start seeing the best of him.

DN: What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve given Connor?

KM: Live poor, be rich. I was a kid from a council estate and wasn't brought up around nice things. As soon as I got money, I did the wrong things with it. But he's nothing like me. Couldn't get him in a pub. Couldn't get him in a nightclub. Doesn't drink.

He’s not cutting corners, doesn’t leave a stone unturned, works like a beast. He does what I didn't. But I’m pleased to say I'm now 11 months sober.

DN: Why Matchroom instead of Frank Warren, who promoted you for longer?

KM: He's picked the best for what he wants. That's the reason behind it. He sat with Frank and he sat with Eddie Hearn, so he chose for himself.

DN: And he’s being advised by Conor Benn?

KM: Unlike me [during my career], he’s got the right team around him. Conor is his mentor — he’s dealt with that pressure of having a famous father. With that said, I don't see myself as famous. I'm very well-known but I'm still only me.

Conor understands how good his dad was. His dad's a legend. I never would have boxed without Nigel Benn. Conor’s a lovely, lovely lad, a good-hearted lad, that's why he's with my son. Generations bring on generations.

• Read next | The current male British world champions

DN: As a coach with a growing reputation, you’re currently building your own gym. How important is that project to you?

KM: Coaching is what I love. I think I enjoy coaching more than I enjoyed fighting. I know how to guide my fighters. I know how to guide my amateur club. I know from life experience what to do and what not to do.

I'm going to work with kids from the amateurs all the way through to the professionals. I don't ever want to be a coach where people are doing my pad work for me — I want to be hands-on.

DN: What drives you now?

KM: Not winning my dream. My dream as a kid, all my life, was I'd become a world champion, become a multi-millionaire. I've had money come and go, money doesn't bother me, but my dream was to become a world champion. My drive now is to fulfil kids' dreams.

I'm up at 5am every day. I look after so many people, like kids losing weight, trying to get people off the drink, trying to get people on healthy lifestyles. My drive is just looking after and helping people. Mitchell’s Boxing Gym will be massive for Upminster. I’ll be going to schools, working with kids — I’ll be working with everyone. I’m putting my all into this gym.

DN: Could you ever be tempted back into the ring?

KM: I'm 41 now. Don't get me wrong, I like to think I can hold my hands up — but I can't. I won't come back and embarrass myself. Embarrass my sons, embarrass my family, my mates. As much as I look healthy and in shape, I ain't the fighter I once was.

For me to do anything like that, it would have to be a serious amount of money to be thinking about getting in the ring. I'd want big money.

DN: Is there one fight that got away?

KM: Amir Khan. It was the two of us on a collision course. I signed the first contract, but they wouldn't. Looking back on it now, his stock would have been lowered if he'd been beaten by me. It was probably a business move, so smart by them.

When they asked me to fight him again, he'd gone Stateside and trained with Freddie Roach. I realised how strong he'd gotten there and declined the fight.

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