Aussie puncher Michael Katsidis has warned Kevin Mitchell that he is no stepping stone.

Katsidis will defend his interim WBO lightweight title against Mitchell at West Ham's Upton Park on May 15.

And the cocky Londoner insists that he will knock out the Australian - and then dominate the world scene.

Last week he said that victory over Katsidis would kick-start his career at the highest level in much the same way Ricky Hatton's 2005 win over Kostya Tszyu did for the Mancunian.

But as the war of words heats up between the two, Katsidis has hit back at Mitchell and warned him he has bitten off more than he can chew.

"I heard that Mitchell compared me to Kostya Tyszu and said that I would be his breakthrough fight," said 29-year-old power puncher Katsidis.

"I've also read that he thinks I've had too many hard fighters and I'm over the hill.

"It's great that he keeps saying these things because it's getting me more and more fired up and ensuring that I have something to focus on out here in Thailand at my training camp.

"I've got a message for him - I'm no one's stepping stone.

"This is a big fight for both of us, but my time in boxing has taught me that you can't look ahead too far in this game.

"I've been in fights where I have ended the other guy's career.

"Anything can happen when you get in that ring, so all that matters is your next fight, not what you'll be doing in a year or 18 months time.

"I've heard a lot of mouth coming from Mitchell these last few weeks, but I've not seen anything in the tapes I've been watching that has got me even remotely worried.

"He's a young kid with everything to prove, while I've been fighting at this stage for a few years now. Talk is cheap, but what matters is what happens on May 15, and Mitchell won't have to worry about me turning up."