Ross Parlett:, external Barn burner of a fight between Kevin Mitchell & Jorge Linares - Someone's gonna get knocked out!

Richie Woodhall
Former super middleweight world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"I said in the last round Mitchell had started to grit his teeth. He pushed him back and found the perfect shot. But he got caught with a terrific left shot from Linares and that slowed him down."

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Replays show that Mitchell put Linares down in the fifth round with a looping shot which crashed into the jawline of the champion.

Now it's Linares who has Mitchell on the ropes. The champion evades a long jab. The two men are embroiled in a war now.

Linares covers up under Mitchell's assault. The home favourite is energised by the crowd and delivers some clubbing rights.

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Linares takes his time but gets to his feet. Mitchell steps up the pace.

Both Steve Bunce and Richie Woodhall have Linares 3-1 ahead with a third of the fight gone. Mitchell lands with a right over the top... and Linares is down.

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"It was a tough round. A couple of times Linares switched to the body. And I think he hurt Kevin in the body at the end. It's bloody and it's heating up."

More urgency from Mitchell as another cut appears to open to the side of his head. The two men exchange some heavy blows.

Linares throws a heavy right but Mitchell is not hurt. The durable Brit is holding his own but, as I type that, a cut opens above his right eye.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena in London

"Linares looks like a middleweight. I've got a horrible feeling Mitchell is going to get ground down, despite all those choruses of 'Bubbles'."

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"What's interesting in the fight is that Mitchell is doing everything not to get caught, not to get dragged in. And Linares is not trying that hard to drag him in. He's doing enough and just nicking the rounds."

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A decent counter with his left provides some decent respite for Kevin Mitchell who connects with a left hook and an overhand right. Better from the Brit.

Linares is a curious fighter - he doesn't move much, but is lightning quick when he throws his punches. Kevin Mitchell is holding his ground in the centre of the ring but is yet to hurt the champion.

The two exchange body shots and Mitchell lifts his opponent from his feet when they tangle. A bit of light-heartedness in the opening throes of a boxing war. A left hook into the cheekbone hurts Mitchell as the Venezuelan strikes with the venom of a snake. The champion nicks the round again.

Linares, with his 'socks' pulled up to close to his knees is shuffling about the ring and Mitchell drives forward with a brace of jabs which snap back the head of the champion.

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"A very good start from the Venezuelan. We can seen why is so dangerous but he is also vulnerable. But it's good to see Kevin Mitchell using his head and not his heart. The previous times he's lost it's because he fought like an idiot."

The balding, bearded and tattooed Mitchell forces the early pace against the slick-looking Linares who misses with a wild swish of the left. Both men duck and weave, having an early look at each other. A couple of strong rights crash into the side of Mitchell's face. The champion possibly - just about - edges the opening salvo.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena in London

"Mitchell-Linares could be the fight of a night of very good fights - for as long as it lasts..."

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"Between the two of them, they've lost just five fights - they were both brutally stopped. There's no way we're going to hear judges verdict at the end of 12 rounds. But if this becomes a slugfest the Venezuelan is tall, devastating, vicious and nasty."