Willie ‘Sandman’ Mitchell will have to wait to experience his pro awakening, after the planned Rock and Rumble June show fell through, but a three fight semi pro deal with Eurosport could prove sufficient consolation.

The 26 year old southpaw is hoping impressive TV showings will prompt already interested American promoters to finalise potential pro deals.

Mitchell’s TV bouts are not board sanctioned and will not be added to a currently blank record, but with a far from healthy domestic show ratio the Tyrone fighter’s options seem limited.

Hence he has chosen the semi pro route into the pros, a choice that doesn’t always sit well with fight fans and it is a poor indictment on the pro game that TV companies are turning to semi-pro shows to broadcast to the public.

Mitchell, however will get more TV coverage than over 90 percent of the Irish professional boxing fraternity and when he like Paul Moffett makes the transition from semi pro to ratified paid fighter he could have a strong platform to build on.

“Willie was unlucky with The Rosscomon show falling through. A fight in Malta didn’t go through either so this gives him a chance to get some fight experience,” Mitchell’s manager and trainer Joe Gallagher said.  “He will fight three times on an under card in London and we have been guaranteed all his fights will be on Eurosport. The fight will also be shown across Asia and America so its great exposure. There is interest from American promoters and there should be movement soon.”