British lightweight Kevin Mitchell has insisted that he is hoping to fight for a world title in his next "two or three" bouts.
Mitchell was stopped by WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns last year, but the Londoner has revealed that he has been inspired in training by friend Darren Barker, who won the IBF middleweight belt in August.
The 28-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I've been mates with Darren since I was a young kid. We've won national titles together. To see him go and do that shows that you can do it.
"He's been through a lot of struggles and he's come out of the other side and he's shining. Two or three more fights and I'll be back up there again."
Mitchell will fight for the vacant IBF Intercontinental lightweight title against Marco Lopez at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
