By Frank Warren

THERE were contrasting fortunes for British boxers two weekends back - and lessons to be learned.

Kevin Mitchell was halted in three rounds by Michael Katsidis at Upton Park.

But Amir Khan stopped Paulie Malignaggi in the States.

After Mitchell lost, it emerged he'd cut corners in training because of domestic problems. I even heard on the day of the fight, he was shopping at Lakeside. All this was news to me.

I put a lot of effort and money into the West Ham show, creating a fantastic opportunity for Mitchell to become the Ricky Hatton of the south.

I've a lot of time for Kevin - but you can't play at boxing if you want to be a world champion.

At 25, and with his first defeat, he's at a crossroads. Either he knuckles down and makes the most of his talent, or he looks back in a few years' time and wonders what might have been.

He should look to other fighters who boxed at the weekend - Katsidis shut himself away from his wife and young child in Thailand.

And Khan had disruptions in his training camp, too, being forced to spend a couple of weeks in Vancouver because of visa issues.

But the WBA light-welterweight champion is always in terrific shape and he was against Malignaggi.

Khan has looked good since he lost to Breidis Prescott, and Mitchell can take heart from the way he has bounced back.

Khan wants to fight again in July and the 31st was suggested.

Trainer Freddie Roach said: "If I was getting him ready for a major, major world title fight, July would be too soon but we can do it."

That tells you a lot if the date goes ahead.

Saturday's shows had excellent viewing figures - Sky pulled in a very big audience, while nearly 600,000 people stayed up to watch Khan on ITV at 4.30am.

Next morning, 1.5million watched a replay of the fight while the FA Cup final highlights attracted 300,000.

There's talk of Khan fighting Victor Ortiz, who beat Nate Campbell.

Khan stopped Ortiz as an amateur, and will fancy doing the same again.

Cash is King

A JUDGE told Don King he had to post a $1million bond for a court injunction against Ricardo Mayorga.

Even though the banks were closed he was given just two hours - and he returned with $1m in cash in two duffle bags.

The Kingster said he "felt like Clint Eastwood speeding down the highway with a Fistful of Dollars!"

Enough With The Stalling

DAVID HAYE'S manager Adam Booth let the deadline for negotiations with Wladimir Klitschko pass last week.

He said talks to agree a deal will take months - and that Klitschko should next fight his mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin.

If both parties really want something you can do it in two hours. Just ask Don King.

Solo makes Stace sweat

THE most nervous person at Upton Park on Saturday night?

X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon, who sang the National Anthem.

The very likeable singer said "I'm s******* myself," to me before she sang.