NAMBUCCA shredder Mitchell 'the White Lion' Whitelaw will put his State light heavyweight boxing title on the line on Saturday night in the main event of a televised card at Tweed Heads.
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It will be the youngster's first title defence when he steps between the ropes against Benji Dimitrioski in a 79.36kg bout set down for eight three-minute rounds.
Mitchell has been impressive since turning professional, surging to a four win, one draw, one loss record, and his trainer, Ian 'Sparra' Stapleton is confident about the next assignment.
"Mitchell's fitness levels are better than at anytime before. He's had a big preparation, sparring at Yamba, doing 16 kilometre runs and two training sessions a day," Sparra told the Guardian.
The Nambucca Heads camp said Dimitrioski is also finding his way in the pro ranks, and the 32-year-old is more experienced than Mitchell, with four wins and as many losses.
"I actually hoped to get him (Dimitrioski) to fight on my show in Nambucca but he hurt his shoulder. He's a switch hitter (right and southpaw) but I think we can beat him. We're pretty confident," Sparra said.
The promotion is being held at the Seagulls club, and Sparra has seated and standing tickets for sale for any Nambucca supporters who want to support Mitchell. Phone 0439 021-690.
The earlier fights will be televised live, while Mitchell's bout will be replayed at a later date.
Sparra said Mitchell would look to stay busy building his career, with a fight pencilled in for May at Ipswich, while a rematch with Irishman Conor Wallace - the only man to take the White Lion down in a tight decision just before Christmas - remains very much on the radar.
Meanwhile, one of Sparra's amateur charges, Bellingen blaster Peter Conroy will have his fourth fight when the powerful 14-year-old tackles Zeb Bailey from Gunnedah at Moree on April 6.