News
MICHAEL KATSIDIS SUPER WARRIOR, WORLDCHAMPION, HISTORY MAKER
Every young boys dream is to grow up and be a super hero, a world champion or to change history to achieve greatness in any field it takes not only dedication and sacrifice, but overcoming all obstacles whether it’s physical or mental.
Michael Katsidis may not be a super hero to everyone, and to his fans he is a lot more, he is a super warrior. When he enters the ring wearing his gladiator outfit everybody in the stadium knows war is about to break out. People know that when Michael fights it’s to the death no quarter is given, there is no giving up.
So sum it up one true fan once said “It is not the size of the crowd that really matters; it’s what the assembled masses took away from the event the knowledge that Queensland has a true and celebrated contender for world honours.”
Others class Michael as a hero, but under his tough exterior is a humble person. Michael hasn’t let the fame and glory takes control of his life; he would be the first one to come to somebodies aid. So much so that over his boxing career he has donated to various charities, through time and money and mimics the famous quote from Alexander the Great; “Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.”
Michael is a true Queenslander born and raised, he is one that hasn’t forgotten his roots, and still loves his home town, Toowoomba. He knew from an early age that one day he would be a World Champion and to achieve his goal he would have to leave his beloved country and take on the World.
In 2007 Michael and his long-time Friend, Manager and Trainer Brendon Smith packed their bongos and headed to the UK to take on Graham Earl for the Interim WBO Lightweight World Championship. As history shows Michael won convincingly in the fifth round with such an onslaught of aggression and power, it was the same aggression and power that deemed the fight as the best for that year.
With any sporting career there are the ups and downs, after a successful defence against CzarAmonsot, he took on the Legend Joel Casamayor. It was Michael’s first defeat, and although he had punched Casamayor out of the ring, he was caught in the 10th and went down for the count.
For Michael, giving up was not an option and with that he and Brendon decided to move their training camp to Thailand, where life is simple and away from the hype and outside influence. Brendon would instil in Michael that a boxer does it hard in the ring and there for training should be the same, no luxuries and no attention. Their attitude and dedication payed off in Nov 2008 when Michael was once again fighting for the Interim WBO Lightweight Championship against Vicente Escobeto. The fight went the distance with Michael the victor via a split decision which, at the time, amazed the crowd who had already decided it should have been a unanimous call.
Having fought his last two fights in America, Michael once again travelled back to the UK to defend his title, taking on the undefeated Kevin Mitchell. Even before arriving Michael was written off by the media saying, “he’s had to many hard fights, he is getting to old.” The fight took place in Upton Park in front of 25,000 mostly Kevin Mitchell supporters. In three rounds Michael destroyed their beloved, and undefeated, Kevin.
Michael was back with vengeance, never fitter and ready to take on the best. All the struggle and hard work finely payed off, he was to fight the legend, the superstar and future hall of famer Juan Manual Marquez for the unification of the Lightweight division (WBO,WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight titles), his childhood dreams coming to fruition.
The training camp in Thailand was in high spirits, everything was going to plan, Michael was fit and confident taking on the world’s best lightweight. Then five weeks before the event tragedy stuck. At 6 am Brendon got a phone call that nobody wants to get, he was informed that Michael’s brother Stathi had died earlier that morning. Michael was out for his morning run, and no one could imagine what was going through Smith’s mind while he awaited his boxers return. Michael and Stathi could not have been closer as brothers; they spoke on the phone daily, equally supportive of each other when the chips were down. To Michael “he was more than my brother; he was also my best friend.”
Not one person in the World would have been surprised if Michael cancelled the fight, he just lost his best friend, something of this significance needs time to sink in, time to reflect and most importantly time to grieve. Being the true warrior Michael is he informed millions of eager fans that he would continue. In his own words “Stathi would want me to fight on, I’m going to win this for him. I know he will be there in the ring with me.”If the camp wasn’t suffering enough, Brendon gets another phone call a few days later telling him his nephew was involved in a motorcycle accident and is paralysed from the neck down. In their time of grieve, the two of them were alone without their families and friends, after discussion they did what they knew best, train to fight! Brendon said to Michael, “If you want to take on Marquez, let’s go to the gym and take it out on the bags.”
Michael was physically ready, but how do you fight a world champion like Marquez and the demons inside your head at the same time. The fairy tale nearly came off in the third round, and with a beautiful left hook he knocked Marquez to the canvas, any other boxer wouldn’t have got up, but this was Juan Manual Marquez! The super champion then went on to win the fight in the ninth round by stoppage, but once again the fight was nominated for the fight of the year.
Michael returned to Australia in 2011 after being away for five years to be with his family and try to come to terms with his brothers passing and regroup following two consecutive defeats. Being back in Toowoomba surround by friends and family, Michael resumed his training at the newly established Smithy’s Gym, which isowned and operated by long-time friend, trainer and manager Brendon Smith. The past seemingly washed off Michael and felt he was ready to take on the world again. Together they formed a partnership and promoted a fight at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre against Michael Lozada. The night was a huge success with Michael Katsidis stopping Lozada in the third round. The only disappointing aspect of the whole night was Australian TV would not support or televise the event, Michael and Brendon organised and payed for Aurora to broadcast a delayed telecast of the fight so his fans at least had a chance to see “The Great” back in action on Australian soil
As one fan wrote from the UK “I simply cannot believe that the fight is NOT to be televised, given the fact that this is Michael’s homecoming contest, you would think that someone in Australian Broadcasting would have made a more positive decision. I ponder on the fact that Michael is much more respected on foreign soil than he is in his own country – ye Gods, if this had been a fighter from my nation, Scottish Television would have ensured we had wall-to-wall pictures of the entire event!!!
To illustrate my point even further, if and when Michaelreturns to the ring in UK, you can bet that Sky, BBC and ITV will have to form a queue in order to cover Katsidis at work, he is probably one of the most respected overseas boxers, few have forgotten the destruction of Mitchell and indeed Earl at the hands of Michael, people want to see fighters fight and Michael delivers every time in this department – why do the Australian broadcasters see it differently?” So now Michael returns to the UK to fight Ricky Burns.
Michael Katsidis is Australian’s greatest boxer, some still call him Rocky, others Brit Bruiser, we all know him as Katsidis The Great and come Nov 5 he will achieve what no other boxer has ever done. History will be re-written when Katsidis The Great will fight for the third time to win the WBO Lightweight championship of the world. He will use his fists not his mouth on Nov 5 and in the words of Plato, “Wise men only speak when it is necessary, fools talk excessively because they feel they have to.”
It’s great news that MAINEVENT will be broadcasting the fight live in Australia,early morning of the 6th of November. So Australia get behind this great man,he fights for his fans, his heritage and his pridehe is a man whose childhood dreams are about to become reality. Two hat-tricks in the making Earl, Mitchell and Burns.Three WBO Lightweight Titles.Truly Australia’s Super Warrior (Hero), World Champion and History Maker. Even a song has been writtenabout Michael’s sacrifice and determination to be the world’s No. 1. You can listen to the song at:iTunes – Music – KatsidisThe Great –Single by OwieParoz
Written By Stanley Curin
For more information or interviews with Michael you can contact Brendon Smith, his Manager/Trainer via his email:bsringstar@gmail.com For sponsorship contact Scott Chapman at scott@katsidisthegreat.com.au
Burns gives up title to face Katsidis
espn.com
Scottish fighter Ricky Burns has surrendered the WBO super-featherweight belt in order to move up to the lightweight division.
Burns took the decision due to the struggle he faced to sneak inside the 130lb super-featherweight limit, which he felt was putting his career under threat.
“It was a hard decision to vacate my title but it was the right time to do it and it was in my best interests,” he said. “Super-featherweight was draining the strength out of me. It was getting harder and harder to make the weight.
“It’s only five pounds of a difference but it makes a big difference. I was constantly worrying about what I was eating and the dieting was so strict. I was getting dehydrated boiling down to lose the last two or three pounds.
“And in doing that I was getting tired but I couldn’t take a day off. Now that weight is no longer an issue I can take a day off if I need to and now I can enjoy boxing. I have started changing the way I have been training, working on my upper body and legs and I will be so much stronger.”
Burns will now face Michael Katsidis, who ended Kevin Mitchell’s unbeaten record at Upton Park during 2010, for the WBO interim lightweight title on November 5. “I have just moved up to lightweight and I couldn’t have got a more difficult fight if I had tried,” he said.
“But this is a great chance for me, it is a great incentive to be fighting for a title right away – what more could you ask for? I will be preparing for 12 hard rounds.
“Michael is a great fighter. He has had a few defeats but that was against the best in the division and you could see how good he was with the way he beat Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell.
“So this will be the toughest fight of my career and people can expect fireworks. You know what you are getting with Michael, he comes to fight and he is never involved in a dull fight.”
Katsidis v Burns Verbally agreed!
Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
The trainer and manager of Aussie hard man Michael Katsidis has confirmed to WBN that his potential fight with former WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns has been verbally agreed and subject to negotiations, should go ahead later in 2011.
Brendon Smith has overseen two successful trips to the UK by the 31 year-old in the past as Katsidis stopped both Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell on British soil and is expecteing a great fight when the two boxers step in the ring for the interim WBO lightweight title.
“We have verbally agreed to fight Ricky Burns for the WBO interim world lightweight title,” Smith told World Boxing News.
“Ricky Burns is a very good fighter who Michael respects and is looking forward to the challenge.
“Michael is delighted to have the opportunity to win this title for the 3rd time. It is going to be a great fight!
More details surrounding the bout are set to emerge soon but it could happen in Burns’ native Scotland, with a date sometime in November expected.
Katsidis v Mitchell??
Michael Katsidis could easily have sloped down retirement road earlier this year after suffering two reverses in a five month period, to Juan Manuel Marquez and Roberto Geurrero respectively, following the untimely death of Stathi, his older brother by a year and a respected jockey who won multiple Group One titles during his own sporting career.
Stathi passed away on October 19th 2010, right in the middle of Michael’s training camp for last November’s fight with Marquez. Katsidis, though, decided to fight through his grief in a bid to register a win over the Mexican legend and become the division’s linear champion. ‘The Great’ fell short, losing via ninth round TKO. Michael was back in action shortly after, his point’s defeat to Geurrero in April saw both men give and take some strong blows only for Roberto to take a lopsided decision.
Katsidis floored Marquez in round three of their war; he also hurt Geurrero with solid shots, coming back at ‘The Ghost’ at crucial points to keep himself in the contest, his other two defeats came against Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz in 2008. The pugilist was philosophical when looking back over his most recent reverses, telling me that he should have taken a timeout to come to terms with the death of his brother.
“Hindsight is such a wonderful thing but if I am to look back and see how my training is going now, I really feel the main thing I needed to deal with was the sudden loss of my brother. My last win has shown me this and now I am ready to go back the way I was,” stated Katsidis when asked about the impact that his brother’s death had on his mindset going into the Marquez fight.
The pride of Toowoomba has twice held the WBO interim lightweight crown, narrowly failing when going for the full title against Casamayor and Marquez. Michael believes that the Marquez fight strengthened his belief in his ability to net a full world title. “I feel I am capable of winning a world title and then some,” he said as talk turned to world belts and his tendency to take part in thrilling contests.
“When I look at my fight with Marquez, I know what I could have done to have him out of there in five rounds. All these experiences are great contributions to what I believe I can achieve in fighting. I am a fighter. You can’t tell me any differently. Some people have the head for the sport and some people don’t. This is what I do and in each of my losses there was not one contest where at any point during those fights I could have easily knocked them out.”
Many contenders take knock over job after knock over job en route to a world crown. Katsidis is the opposite; he took on the division’s best fighters before having a well deserved marking time fight against Michael Lozada, a KO win on August 13th. Katsidis believes that the road to the very top should be paved with tough fights, stating that losses are not the end of the world when asked if he has shown a worrying amount of wear and tear in recent outings.
“Real fighters don’t take the easy road,” insisted the 31-year-old. “All of my fights before my fight with Marquez were hard fights if not harder, so to answer your question you would only need to look at my performance against Marquez. When I look at that fight and my last fight I don’t see a bloke that has had too many hard fights. My losses? Well we twig a couple things in response to give me the perfect preparation and I feel confident no one in the world can stay with me now.”
Katsidis has twice journeyed to the UK, handing out stoppages to Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell. Kevin was 31-0 when he ran into the former Olympian. Earl was riding high going into their February 2007 match. Graham was not the same fighter after suffering a gruelling fifth round corner retirement loss in a fight that Katsidis rates amongst his finest.
“Each victory had its own personal rewards. The best is yet to come. My first international fight with Graham Earl is a fight that myself and boxing enthusiasts in attendance will never forget. That night was a showstopper,” recalled the 28-4 (23) warrior.
As mentioned, Stathi’s sudden death threw Michael’s preparations for Marquez into turmoil; it was a huge blow ahead of a massive match. Katsidis won a lot of fans by deciding to fight his way through his grief to provide yet another FOTY candidate. Almost a year has passed since the sad event; Michael still feels that he is dealing with the aftermath.
Saying, “Most people know how close Stathi and I were. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life. Losing my brother three weeks before a world title unification bout against one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world was something I was never going to deal with in three weeks. Stathi is gone now I know this and if I fight (a rematch) Mitchell as suggested (for later this year) it will be almost one year to the date.”
Speaking of Mitchell, ‘The Hammer’ was struggling with his own demons ahead of his May 2010 showdown with Katsidis at West Ham’s Upton Park football stadium. Kevin’s chaotic personal life was written across the challenger’s face and in his eyes according to his conqueror.
“Of course,” confirmed Michael as talk turned to whether or not Mitchell’s personal problems played a part on the night. “We all have personal things we deal with in life. I knew he was dealing with issues when we had our first face off. His eyes were dilating. I knew then he wasn’t the same Mitchell that thrashed the man (Breidis Prescott) that knocked Amir Khan out cold. Like I said before, I don’t take the easy road and Mitchell on his game is one of the best in the world.”
Katsidis is not the type of guy to trot out lazy excuses; he has taken each of his four defeats in his stride but feels that the Guerrero fight in particular could have had a different outcome had referee Russell Mora not broken his momentum by calling two lows blows in round eight, the second of which looked a legal punch to everyone bar the third man. Ironically, the official was blasted for failing to acknowledge a series of low blows in the recent meeting between Joseph Agebko and Abner Mares yet was on top of Katsidis a number of times during his meeting with Roberto.
“Watch the eighth round of the fight and you will see I hit him with a flurry to the body, he stopped and stooped over. I then chopped two to his chin and the referee stepped in and called the earlier shots low blows and gave Guerrero time to recover,” his opinion of the fight’s big talking point.
He added: “Guerrero was gone, that there and then was where that fight was to end. It was clear I wasn’t going to get a good run as each time I got on a roll my momentum was stopped. Because the fight was so close to the Marquez fight and given the circumstances I knew my best plan was to throw him off his game and take him out. A cut I suffered in the beginning of the camp meant I had no sparring for the fight also. Not sparing for a fight is like a triathlete preparing without a pushbike. The fact that I took the fight says I was confident of a knockout win. Guerrero can enjoy his run for the time being but it will come round.”
Despite the odd setback, Katsidis has not severed ties with his trainer, manager and friend Brendon Smith, insisting that their relationship’s longevity tells its own story. “Brendon knows me like no one else. I think working with someone for over twenty years says it all,” concluded Katsidis.
Smith is currently working on Michael’s next fight; a rematch with Mitchell seems the most logical option, with Brendon confirming that an offer has been made and his charge is willing to travel to the UK in search of a hat trick of British wins. “Lovemore N’dou in Australia, Kevin Mitchell in England or one other name that I won’t mention as yet!” teased Smith when asked if he had firmed up Michael’s next assignment.
“As far as I am concerned the world is now Michael’s backyard, he has many fans all over the world and he absolutely loves fighting in England. Michael loves the passion of the English crowds, for him or against him, the hospitality of the English has been great, we thank them for it and would come back again. I believe the English have accepted Michael as their own and one day I would love to see Michael fight someone from another country in England – at the end of the day we are English aren’t we?” he joked.
Smith confirmed that positive contact has been made regarding a rematch with the rejuvenated Londoner and that Team Katsidis have packed their travel bags in anticipation of another UK jaunt. “Kevin is a big possibility,” he revealed.
“I have given [Mitchell’s promoter] Frank Warren a very realistic purse (figure) to try and make this fight. We are working on it and this fight will only not happen if Frank or Kevin has a change of heart. Our bags are packed – Kevin deserves this for his great win over John Murray – but they are only packed for so long or we are moving on – we hope to see you soon,” Smith’s message to the UK boxing community.
Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk
|
By Anson Wainwright |
It’s been an incredibly tough 12 months for Michael “The Great” Katsidis 28-4 (23). Just six weeks before the biggest fight of his life last year, he lost his brother, Stathi. Katsidis ultimately decided to go on with the show against lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and despite putting the modern-day legend on the seat of his pants in the third, he ultimately succumbed when he was stopped in the ninth frame. He returned against Robert Guerrero just four months later and lost a wide decision.
Recently, for the first time in four years, Katsidis fought in front of his home fans in Australia, snapping his two-fight losing streak when he stepped up to light welterweight for the first time in several years. He would brutalise fringe contender Michael Lozada in three rounds at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in his home province of Queensland. The 31-year-old has always given fans at home and in America value for their money during his ten-year career with his all-action style that has seen him involved in several “Fight of the Year” candidates, making it all the more surprising that his fight with Lozada wasn’t on Australian TV (God bless the Internet!). Having return to his winning ways against Lozada, Katsidis now hopes to take on one of the big names at either 135 or 140. One thing you can be certain of, it’ll be exciting; it always is when Katsidis enters the ring.
MK – Fortunately, I don’t wait for things to happen. I like to make things happen and if there is a fight out there that people want enough, it will happen. This is boxing – ugly one day, beautiful the next.
Katsidis: Who will he fight next
The rumour mill is running hot around Michael Katsidis “the Great” today, following his stoppage over Mexican Michael Lozada in his junior Welterweight debut on Saturday night.
Katsidis has now been linked to numerous world class fights all over the world but manager trainer Brendon Smith says nothing is confirmed “We haven’t come to an agreement with Lovemore (Ndou) yet, as already reported, however the fight does interest us. Michael is having a short break at the moment and once he returns we will go over options. This is an amazing fight for Australia and Lovemore is one tough hard fighter who, like Michael, has fought the best. You won’t need a ring for this fight, a phone box would be sufficient!”
A fight of this calibre against two Australian legends would almost certainly fill any arena in the country and if terms are agreed upon the fight would take place at 140 pounds (Junior Welterweight) and will more than likely be at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, although the team hasn’t ruled out Sydney or Melbourne either.
Katsidis has also been linked to numerous other fights around the globe and Brendon Smith said that now Michael has closure from his brother Stathi’s passing, he is back and ready to fight “we have a lot of options outside of Lovemore at the moment, Kevin Mitchell wants a rematch in England, Andy Murry wants a shot in Ireland, Joel Casamayor rematch (which is one that burns Michael) and also with Guererro pulling out of his fight with Maidana there is a potential show stopper on the cards right there! Erik Morales, Humberto Soto are options and of course Michael will fight Amir Kahn should he want to take the matchup.”
Katsidis is a fighter that has a large draw card across the world and there isn’t a bad fight in the above names… The boxing world will be eagerly awaiting a confirmation from Katsidis and his team.
Katsidis will destroy Mitchell again!
By Scott Gilfoid boxingnews24.com: Australian Michael Katsidis (28-4, 23 KO’s) is perfectly willing to travel to the UK just to get another chance to destroy Britain’s Kevin Mitchell (32-1, 24 KO’s) in another easy payday in front of Mitchell’s adoring fans.
Katsidis, 31, already destroyed Mitchell in the 3rd round last year in a fight where Mitchell seemed to lose his senses completely in the heat of battle and turned his back on Katsidis to try and escape the brutal beating. Thankfully, the referee halted the fight before Mitchell could get really get hurt.
Mitchell later blamed the loss on a number of personal problems effecting his life at the time. It looked to me like Mitchell was too weak to handle the faster, more powerful Katsidis in that bout.
Brendon Smith, the manager for Katsidis, said to frankwarren.tv “It’s plain and simple and I am not being disrespectful, but the England boys don’t want any part of Michael except for calling his name to promote themselves…He [Katsidis] will travel, but does anyone in England really want to fight him? That’s the big question.”
Oh, this is bad. All these fighters from England mentioning Katsidis’ name but none of them wanting to step it up and get in the ring with him. I smell fear. Amir Khan, John Murray, Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell, all of them were mentioned by Smith as fighters that called Katsidis out but yet didn’t agree to fight him. What is it with these guys? Don’t they want to take on a guy that can punch? I guess I don’t blame Mitchell, because he was already blasted apart in three rounds by Katsidis but the other guys still have been knocked out other than Earl. At least Murray and Khan should step up to the plate.
If I’m Mitchell’s promoter I’m keeping him far away from Katsidis. The Australian is just too powerful and fast for him. He’s on another level. Mitchell does better being matched against slow guys like Murray. He’s more at his level. Put him in with domestic fodder and Mitchell will look like a world beater, but you put him in with a world class fighter like Katsidis, and he’ll look like a school boy getting beaten up by the swings during recess.
Smith: English boys are using Katsidis, they want no part of him
Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
Manager says ‘The Great’ will fight anytime, anywhere
Brendon Smith, the trainer and manager of top-ranked light-welterweight contender Michael Katsidis (28-4, 23 KO’s) has hit back at claims by Frank Warren linking his fighter Kevin Mitchell (32-1, 24 KO’s) with a rematch against his man in the near future.
Mitchell, 26, who lost in three rounds to Katsidis in May 2010 at his beloved Upton Park, has constantly been touted for a return bout with the Toowoomba fighter and even more so since he got back to winning ways against John Murray last month, who himself has also been linked with Katsidis in the past.
The Ringstar Promotions chief believes that English fighters are constantly linking themselves with fights against Katsidis to enhance their reputations on the world stage and help move them on their way to getting a shot at the world title.
“I can say as Michael’s manager that this is highly unlikely (that Mitchell will rematch with Katsidis) as we have already had an offer of $100,000 dollars from Frank Warren,” Smith told World Boxing News.
“As I have mentioned many times before, I don’t believe that Frank or Kevin want this fight and this was confirmed once the offer was made. However, calling Michael’s name once more has given good publicity to Kevin.
“There has been numerous call out’s for Michael through John Murray ,Graham Earl, Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell with all fizzling out but not from our part.
“It is plain and simple and I am not being disrespectful, but the English boys don’t want any part of Michael except for calling his name to promote themselves.
He continued; “Michael loves to fight in England and has many fans. He loves the passion of the crowds, whether they are for him or against him.
“He will travel, but does anyone in England really want to fight him! That’s the big question.
“If you have someone please pass on my email as his bags are packed – he will go anywhere for a good fight! What’s Ricky up to?”added Smith jokingly.
Katsidis, 31, is on the back of his first victory at 140lbs, stopping Michael Lozada in three rounds after campaigning for most of his career at lightweight where he gained the interim WBO title.
The tough Aussie has been linked with a bout against the winner of the Erik Morales v Lucas Matthysse WBC title bout on September 17th and is thought to be a contender to be Amir Khan’s last fight at light-welterweight in December.
Katsidis Back to Winning Ways!
Phil Lutton of brisbanetimes.com.au
Michael Katsidis could try to entice Cuban conqueror Joel Casamayor to Australian for a rematch of their 2008 classic after walking through Mexican opponent Michael Lozada on the Gold Coast last night.
Casamayor is one of a number of options on the table for the Katsidis camp after he completed a revitalising win against an overmatched Lozada (38 (30)-9-1) at Broadbeach.
The Mexican had a reputation as a big hitter but barely had time to load the cannons after he stepped into the ring against the finely tuned and fired up Katsidis, a former two-time world lightweight champion fighting at home for the first time in five years.
Katsidis (28 (23)-4) harboured some concerns about how his power would hold up as he stepped up to junior welterweight. But those were put to rest in the opening round, when he jumped all over the slighty out-of-shape Lozada and began a fierce barrage to the Mexican’s ribs.
The Katsidis of old, who came off back-to-back losses against lightweight superstars Juan Manuel Marquez and Robert Guerrero, might have loosened the shoulders to try and end it in the second but he showed some improved patience and – importantly – didn’t leave himself open for big counters.
His measured stalking paid off in the third when the huge body shots on an increasingly catatonic Lozada took their toll and a fearsome left rip sent him crumpling to the canvas like he’d sprung a sudden puncture. It was the kind of night Katsidis deserved and proved he could be a genuine force at 140 pounds.
That he was too much for Lozada was no surprise but his next move is intriguing. His camp has mentioned in-form Brit Amir Khan and another Mexican great, Erik Morales, but the future for Katsidis may begin with a trek through his back catalogue, starting with “El Cepillo” Casamayor (38 (22)-5-1).
The Cuban, who defected to the United States on the eve of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, gave Katsidis his first career loss as a professional in 2008 when he stopped the Toowoomba slugger in 10 rounds in California.
Katsidis went down twice in the first round but had Casamayor in big trouble in the sixth before sacrificing his shape and eventually, the fight. It still burns as a fight his camp thinks he should have won and revenge may not be too far away.
“There’s no hidden secret – there’s Amir Khan and another one that burns in there is Joel Casamayor. That’s one I’d like to see happen. And I’d like to bring Joel right here into our backyard. Without a doubt. Michael would like to fight all the guys that he’s lost to. We’d love to make it happen,” Katsidis’ manager Brendon Smith said.
Katsidis now seems destined to continue to operate as a junior welterweight after saying he felt supremely confident at the heavier weight, in which he showed his big punching hadn’t lost any of its sting.
“I felt really strong at the weight. I know how Lozada holds at the weight division. Considering my power was very effective from the first round, I know I’ve got it there,” Katsidis said last night.
“It’s a relief to get on the winner’s board. There was a certain element of risk given I’m stepping up in weight. Coming back home and performing on home soil after such a long time, it was very nerve-wracking.”
Katsidis, an unflinching warrior in the ring, has been criticised in the past for his relentless approach, which has seen him end up in more than his fair share of wars.
His instinct is to climb on a wounded fighter and go for the kill but he restrained himself at times last night, backing off before faking a jab and putting the left rip almost right through Lozada. It was a punch he knew was the winner from the opening exchanges.
“Even between the rounds, I felt like mentioning it (the left). I was focusing on the other things. I used to throw caution to the wind and be open for bombs. But I was patient with my shots as I came in. It came out at the right time,” Katsidis said.
“I learn from every fight. But in this fight I can say that I didn’t try so hard. I fake jabbed at the top then hit him with a left rip. I’m just letting it happen naturally.”
After losing his brother Stathi last year, it comes as a huge relief for Katsidis to return home and get a win in front of family and friends. He is more grounded, happier in his training and on the brief evidence presented last night, a fighter with a second wind.
In the rooms after the fight, he has bouncing around without a mark on his face, as opposed to his rugged run-ins with Marquez and Guerrero. It was a good feeling but after some days off on the coast, he will return to training in preparation for his next appointment, wherever that may be.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/katsidis-stakes-claim-for-casamayor-rematch-20110814-1isox.html#ixzz1V3V9CnxZ
Lozada Ready for Katsidis
By Jake Dew www.goldcoast.com.au
WHEN you’re about to fight Australia’s best you could understand Michael Lozada wanting to sneak into the Gold Coast quietly.
The only thing was, there was nothing quiet about Lozada’s entrance yesterday.
Mexican Lozada exuded the confidence of a man ready to take a country down.
Before declaring he would spoil the Aussie’s celebration, he went further, warning Katsidis to prepare for an early night in their 10-round “war” at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday.
While Katsidis will get his home-coming when he steps into an Australian ring for the first time in five years, Lozada, who has 38 victories including 30 by knockout, believes he has the game to knock off another “great” fighter and edge closer to his own title shot.
The 28-year-old was also ready to continue the current trend and follow American Antonio Tarver and Panamanian Ameth Diaz, who both landed big wins in Australia over Danny Green and Lenny Zappifinya respectively.
“I’m here to win,” declared Lozada, decked out in sombrero and sunglasses.
“Great fighters make great fights and I would like to say that you guys might want to show up early because the fight may finish early.
“I’ve had a great training and I’ve had 10 weeks to prepare for this fight.
“I want to do what Antonio Tarver did to Danny Green and what my good friend Ameth Diaz did to Lenny Zappifinya and stop Australia’s best. I’m here to do the same thing to Michael.”
Absorbing Lozada’s confident tirade in a similar way to which he had handled the best fighters in the world, Katsidis refused to wage war on his rival.
“Initially, I always considered the best of the best warriors (to be) very humble,” Katsidis said.
“I had always heard the reports of Michael Lozada and his personality, as (being) very quietly spoken, humble and (that he) comes to the ring as a warrior.
“The fact he says what he says gives me a different impression now.”
While there was little doubt the Mexican’s prediction had incensed Katsidis, the 31-year-old Toowoomba slugger’s only questions came in Lozada’s ability to stay with him the longer the fight progressed.
“I think there’s a lot to be concerned about for him,” he said.
“If he thinks he’s going to stop the fight early he has to understand that I’m experienced and the longer the fight goes, and the more he tires early, the more he is going to wear.
“(But) he’s just heated it up a little bit.”
With confidence beaming from his face, Lozada’s predictions may have been bold but no one doubted his toughness for taking on the challenge of Katsidis (27-4).
Lozada insists no challenge was too great for a Mexican.
“The people of Mexico have big balls,” he beamed.
JOIN US
