Kevin Mitchell is stopped against Michael Katsidis

Dagenham boxer Kevin Mitchell hopes for a happier return to venue where he lost out to Michael Katsidis

Kevin Mitchell has high hopes that his dream fight, a clash with WBO lightweight title-holder Ricky Burns, will take place at West Ham United’s Upton Park ground on the night of July 14.

Promoter Frank Warren, who guides both fighters, has already announced the controversial David Haye v Derek Chisora heavyweight showdown for that date and Mitchell hopes he could get his chance on the biggest London bill of the year.

The Dagenham fighter admitted at the weekend: “It looks like it will be me against Ricky Burns on July 14 – nothing has been signed yet, but it’s looking that way.”

Despite the protests of the British Boxing Board of Control, the heavyweight clash will be sanctioned by another European boxing body – the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.

Warren insists that around 20,000 tickets have already been sold, with around twice that number expected for a record crowd on the night.

The world title clash between challenger Mitchell, with a single defeat in 34 contests, and Scottish world champion Burns, who has been beaten twice in 35 pro bouts, would certainly add extra appeal to the show.

Mitchell will welcome the chance of fighting again at Upton Park where he suffered his lone pro defeat against powerful Aussie Michael Katsidis two years ago, when he was stopped in three rounds.

Burns outpointed Katsidis at Wembley last year, yet Mitchell also holds a win over the last boxer to beat the Scot, Leeds fighter Carl Johanneson.