COLOMBIAN hitman Ignacio Mendoza has issued a clear warning that he plans to wreck the world title ambitions of cockney pride Kevin Mitchell when they meet in the Wembley Arena ring on Saturday night, writes LEN WHALEY. Mendoza, who is now based in Spain,

COLOMBIAN hitman Ignacio Mendoza has issued a clear warning that he plans to wreck the world title ambitions of cockney pride Kevin Mitchell when they meet in the Wembley Arena ring on Saturday night, writes LEN WHALEY.

Mendoza, who is now based in Spain, tackles unbeaten Mitchell in a WBO Intercontinental lightweight title fight on Frank Warren's Night of the Champions promotion.

He has vowed to avenge the defeat Mitchell inflicted on his countryman Breidis Prescott when they clashed in Newcastle in December.

"Mitchell dented my country's pride when he beat our national hero Prescott, who had earlier destroyed Amir Khan," said 26-year-old Mendoza.

"I will be out for revenge when we meet at Wembley on Saturday and I will do to Mitchell what Breidis did to Khan.

"Breidis said to me that he didn't perform as he should have against Mitchell and has told me of his weaknesses.

"Prescott fought the wrong fight against Mitchell and tried to land one big punch and Mitchell outboxed him, but that won't happen with me.

"I plan to rough him up a bit more and try and match him blow for blow and wear him down."

Mendoza turned professional in his native Colombia in 2002 before moving to Spain, and he now has stopped 18 out of 34 opponents.

And he says that victory over Mitchell will be a big breakthrough in his professional career.

Mendoza's talk will not worry Mitchell, who has heard such threats often during his 30-fight career.

His preparations have gone well under father and son training duo Jimmy and Mark Tibbs at Canning Town's TKO Gym.

Mitchell is looking to follow up the winning form he showed in his career-best performance, when he outpointed Prescott at Newcastle, knowing that victory on Saturday should set him up for a crack at WBO interim world champion, Australian Michael Katsidis in London later this year.

Mitchell's unbeaten brother, Vinny, is also booked for a bout at Wembley, when he faces a return meeting with Rotherham opponent Jon Baguley, who he outpointed when they clashed at London's 02 Arena two years ago.

Warren's show features heavyweight Derek Chisora against Carl Baker and Welsh star Nathan Cleverly, who meets Antonio Brancalion for the vacant European light-heavyweight title.

Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale faces Matthew Barr and former World Amateur champion Frankie Gavin meets Peter McDonagh on the bill, which also includes Norfolk brothers Liam, Michael and Ryan Walsh.

Wembley tickets are available from 08712 200260 or www.seetickets.com