Australian WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) made $412,000 for Saturday’s three round TKO over previously unbeaten and #1 rated Kevin Mitchell (31-1, 23 KOs) that took place at the Upton Park soccer stadium in London.
Katsidis rocked the hometown hero Mitchell early in round three and after a furious follow up barrage, the bout was waved off by referee Dave Perris. Time was 1:57.
Now Katsidis was quoted saying he wants Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez is scheduled to take on Juan Diaz on July 31st for the WBO title. Katsidis feels Marquez is ducking him.
“I waited for Juan Manuel Marquez but he doesn’t want to fight me. He said he can’t make lightweight anymore but now he is fighting Juan Diaz at lightweight! We’ve given him the chance to make it happen but he said he couldn’t make the weight anymore.”
Amir Khan, who won his US debut at Madison Square Garden against Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday, is also a prime prospect to face Katsidis. Golden Boy wants Katsidis to step up from lightweight to face Khan. Khan is willing to fight 3 times this year and willing to fight as soon as July.
“Amir is already itching to fight again and show the world just how good he is,” trainer Freddie Roach stated. “If I was getting him ready for a major, major world title fight then July would be too soon but we can do it.”
If Katsidis moves up in weight to face the new WBA champion, Amir Khan, he will lose his WBO interim-title and his mandatory position to challenge the winner of Marquez-Diaz.
Personally I think it will be a dumb move to face Khan. Khan will have several advantages. Khan is 5’10” and has a 71-inch reach, Katsidis is 5’7″ with a 66-inch reach and not to mention Khan will be at his natural weight.
What’s your opinion, who should Amir Khan face next? Who should Michael Katsidis fight?
hey now, mayweather can take off all all the time he wants and still beat pac man who is not ready for a fighter of pretty boys caliber he can say anything he wants and he knows he has the talent to back it up. roach youre spinning youre wheels be thankfull. mayweather si man enough no matter how much easy money he could make not to put an end to pac-mans over rated ability
I would have liked to see Khan fight Edwin Valero, but that’s never going to happen now.
Amir Khan is too fast and too strong. It would be suicidal for Katsidis to fight Amir Khan. But that is right if he really wants to. To die is also a right.
Tijuana, I agree with you, no one wants to see Diaz Marquez on PPV!
Khan would pick Katsidis apart with his speed and the jab, Katsidis would need to go up in weight to face a faster natural lightweight with hight and length advantage, that combination almost always ends bad, Katsidis will always have a punchers with all that determination, I will give him that chance but most likely it’s another tailor made fight for Khan to win, that is why Golden Boy wants it, it will make him look even better and prepare him for a big fight maybe late this year.
This is a good fight for Khan, I don’t feel the same for Katsidis.
Marquez is being smart by not facing a faster, younger and hungrier opponent but I’m sure no one wants to see Marquez fight Diaz …AGAIN.. after the beating he gave him, and now on freaking PPV!
And If Diaz loses again he should forget about fighting any top opponent any time soon.
@ Jesus,I totally agree .if khan thinks that Katsidis is a walk in the park,he is so wrong .
Katsidis is no joke.He is a Punching machine that doesn’t stop until it’s totally destroyed .
Talk about pick your poison…
I think Khan is hungry to make an emphatic statement to show that he is not afraid of anyone .
he stated that he would like to unify the 140 lbs
division ,which is very courageous ,but the question is Amir Khan capable of beating Bradly
,ortiz ,maidana and alexandr.
In regards to Katsidis ,I think that khan has unfinished business in UK .it will be a great opportunity for him to make big $ and show that
Brits boxing fans that he can beat the man who beat Kevin Mitchell .
I am just wondering whether Khan earned good money from his fight with Pauli or not.
I believe that if khan fights Katsidis,it will be
riskier than his his fight with Pauli because Katsidis is uterlly a slugger who doesn’t give up
at all and evinced that with his fight against Diaz
when he was beat badly ,but staid persistent and put a taurine effort to dismantle Diaz .
however,I really have no boubt that Marquez is not afraid of Katsidis because Marqueze is a warrior and we all saw that in his fight against Manny .
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