By James Slater: Good news for fans of the always-exciting Michael Katsidis: the Australian warrior is set to return to action in either late July or Early August; with a fight in his homeland being arranged as we speak. All that is needed is an opponent but, as Fightnews.com have reported, “The Great” is excited at the idea of fighting in Australia again, for the first time in almost five years.
According to the report, Katsidis, who is coming off that thrilling, albeit losing fight with Robert Guerrero, was offered the chance to fight again in Las Vegas, on July 30th. There was a chance the former WBO interim lightweight champ would face Erik Morales, but Katsidis is instead looking to get a win in Oz in the summer.
“My last ten fights have been overseas and I think now is the time for me to come back to Australia and bring an international opponent into my country,” Katsidis told fightnews.com. “This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. It’s been a tough six months and I feel it is really important to come home and fight.”
Katsidis, 27-4(22) certainly has had a tough six months. Beaten by Juan Manuel Marquez (yet another blood-and-guts thriller!) and then by “The Ghost,” the 30-year-old also lost his dear brother earlier in the year. But despite the hardship, and despite the fact that he has suffered punishing back-to-back losses, Katsidis remains a huge fan attraction – simply because he is so exciting to watch and because he gives his all each and every time out.
The star now of at least five genuine classics, fans wonder how much more the tough but hittable warrior has left to give. Busted up badly by Marquez and by Guerrero, as well as by a number of previous opponents, Katsidis has forced some fans to worry about his long-term health. If any fighter were deserving of an nice “easy” and/or “safe” fight, it is Katsidis. But the lightweight star has spoken of bringing an international opponent into Australia: will Katsidis pick a “safe” opponent?
Doing things the easy way has never been Katsidis’ style, and his manager Brendon Smith is now on the hunt for his fighter’s next opponent. Whoever it is he fights in the summer, one thing can be relied upon from Katsidis: he will send the fans home happy.
That talked-of fight between he and Mexican legend Morales really would have been an epic. Maybe, one day in the near future, Katsidis will make the move up to 140-pounds and get it on with “El Terrible.” That would be a fight no fan would want to miss!