Maidana Passes on Khan Clash

BoxingScene report that Marcos Maidana has turned down the opportunity of facing Amir Khan on July 31 in the UK, citing a reoccurring back injury as the reason the fight couldn't be made.

Maidana had pulled out of a fight with WBO junior welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley, for the same reason only three weeks ago. Team Maidana say that the back injury won't recover in time to have a sufficient training program set-up for the fight.

In my opinion, this is another cheap shot from Khan. He knows that Maidana is injured, and knows that Khan-Maidana is one of the most revealing fights on the table for the fans about Khan. And here, with some PR magic, they have attempted to turn it round that Maidana is avoiding Khan.

The biggest problem is that Maidana is injured, and that should be the end of story. But the July 31 date is only nine weeks away, hardly enough time for world class fighters to prepare efficiently. It's a big commitment for a fighter who's got a lot of pride to lose, such as Maidana.

Anyway, Michael Katsidis and Joel Casamayor are the other options discussed for Khan, and I think we all know which one appertizes Khan the most out of the two.

Katsidis has just steamrolled Kevin Mitchell in three rounds and looked back to his fearsome best. While on the opposite end of the spectrum, Casamayor looked ancient in his eight-round exercise earlier this year, and struggled with Marquez's speed a year ago.

If Khan does find an opponent without alienating half of the division, Schaefer will discuss the prospect of a split-site PPV with Marquez-Diaz II headlining in the States, and Khan vs. whoever broadcasted from the UK.

Your Ad Here

Midweek Hangover With Siren1927

by Siren1927

Can Katsidis Be Floyd's Gatti?

“I’ve been in a lot of fights, and every one has been the fight of my life. Every time I get in the ring I put my life on line, and if my heart was big enough, I’d give it to the world.”

Michael Katsidis had just been through five rounds of some of the most brutal action ever seen in a British ring with Graham Earl in what has become a forgotten classic. In a fight which saw both men down and badly hurt, Katsidis showed his huge heart in becoming the last man standing.

Cut under his right eye and with four separate cuts on his left eye, Katsidis battled through another fight of the year candidate with Czar Amonsot. Both men were hurt in the bout, but yet again, sheer heart and determination once again allowed Katisidis to prevail.

Down in the first round twice and seemingly on the verge of his first defeat, Katsidis rallied back to drop the then-lineal lightweight Champion Joel Casamayor, before finally succumbing to the future hall-of-famer in what many believe to be the last great performance of Casamayor’s career.

“I don’t think he’s afraid to lose, I think he’s more afraid of being in a bad fight.” Sooterkin, BTBC Member

Another loss in his next fight to Juan Diaz may have spelled the end of Katsidis young career, however wins over Angel Ramirez, Jesus Chavez and the unbeaten Vicente Escobedo put him back on the map and brought him to the UK to face Kevin Mitchell.

As we know Katsidis blew away Mitchell in three, but yet again, Katsidis had to battle back through adversity to win. His style has never changed; head up, look the other guy straight in the eye and out muscle him. Sometimes this hasn’t worked, but one thing it has always done is make it a real fight. It will drive the purists crazy but boxing needs excitement like Micheal Katsidis.

His fights bring in new fans, he is Mr. Excitement. And it doesn’t hurt that he is one of the most humble boxers around today, as he displayed after the Mitchell fight.

“I don’t care who the people are cheering for, there are 20,000 passionate people here cheering the sport that I love and that means everything to me, regardless of who their cheering for .”

Once every decade or so we unearth a special fighter, someone who through sheer excitement helps push the sport to a new era. While De La Hoya brought in the casual fans, Arturo Gatti is credited with keeping them hooked.

Similarly today we have Floyd Mayweather Jr., a man who has transcended the sport. Yet while Floyd brings in casual fans, his fights aren’t enough to keep them hooked. Can Katsidis be Floyd's Gatti?

Let's hope the powers that be realise what they have with Katsidis before its too late. He may not be the greatest boxer in the world, but for sheer heart, determination, and most importantly excitement, Michael Katsidis is pound-for-pound number one.

Your Ad Here

Weekend Hangover With Siren1927

by Siren1927

Last night, undefeated UK prospect Kevin Mitchell lost his first professional bout against Aussie hardman Michael Katsidis. Looking at both fighters records it should not be a real surprise. Yet once again, Frank Warren’s fantastic promotional skills had us all believing that Mitchell was deservedly a 2 to 1 favourite. Mitchell’s only recognizable previous opponents were Carl Johanneson and an over-hyped Breidis Prescott, was facing a fighter who has been at the higher echelons of the division since he fought Joel Casamayor back in March ‘08, and really had no business being favourite.

Katsidis, known and loved by hardcore fans around the world for his crude, all-action brawling style, relies on just four things in the ring; heart, pressure, power and one hell of a chin. Katsidis does not box, he walks straight forward and hammers you with punches. His only defense is his huge heart, and his own belief that he will knock you out before you knock him out. Some call him the modern Arturo Gatti, and it's probably too early to say, but he is certainly making a case for himself.

In face of such a challenge, how does Mitchell prepare for by far his biggest test to date? He goes out on the town during training, and just hours before the fight he was seen with a group of his “closest friends” in a shopping mall in London, as Colin Hart reported on UK Radio Station TalkSport early this morning.

25-year-old Mitchell said after the fight that his trainer had told him five weeks ago "you have not prepared for this fight properly, you keep messing around." For professional sportsmen, this stern warning from your trainer should kick you into gear and make you realise that you haven't grafted enough to reach his demands. But Mitchell thought differently.

"There were things I wasn't doing and I was having a few late nights and this has given me a kick up the backside. But I've got a young family and there have been a lot of rows that people don't understand about. That's made things hard. One minute I'm living at my mum's, the next I'm back at my flat."

Which begs the question as to why Mitchell was not locked away in a training camp? We have heard so much about how he struggled to earn a living working on the railway tracks while injured. Why did this young fighter who had his chance at glory, totally disregard his training, his promoter, and most importantly, the 14,000 adoring fans who parted with their hard earned wages to watch him fight?

This is not about a fighter losing, a loss is nothing, many great fighters have lost. Sugar Ray Robinson lost 16 times and yet he is the greatest boxer of all time. It is about a boxer who has totally disregarded the fans, his associates and embarrassed himself in the process.

Micheal Katsidis locked himself away for three months in Thailand doing nothing but preparing for this fight. He also has a young family, but he respects his loyal fans back at home, and wanted to prove that he still belonged at the top of the division and was focused on the task ahead. This is the reason why whenever Katsidis loses there is no backlash. We know that he comes to fight, we know he will sacrifice everything before and during the fight.

As fans, that’s all we ask, and personally, I don’t think its too much to ask for.

Your Ad Here

Katsidis Disposes Mitchell In Three

A monster left hook and a barrage of brutality was enough for Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KO) to score a devastating third-round technical knockout win away from home against Kevin Mitchell (31-1, 23 KO) to position himself as a mandatory for the Marquez-Diaz II winner.

Katsidis landed the harder shots in the opening two rounds, and in the third, Katsidis staggered Mitchell very early and kept up the pressure to take him out at the end of the third.

Mitchell didn't back down though, deciding to trade as his legs continued to wobble. But Mitchell was outclassed as Katsidis continued to stun the Englishman with heavy shots before referee Dave Parris stopped the bout with Mitchell still unsteady.

On the undercard, Derek Chisora (13-0, 8 KO) blasted out Danny Williams (41-9, 31 KO) in the second round. Williams weighed in at a career-high 275 pounds and offered no resistance in what is likely to be his last professional contest.

James DeGale (7-0, 5 KO), Frankie Gavin (7-0, 6 KO) and Billie Joe Saunders (6-0, 3 KO) all impressed against domestic cans. Only Billy Joe Saunders gained valuable rounds as DeGale and Gavin were badly undermatched.

Your Ad Here

Kevin Mitchell: The Modern Day Cinderella Man

by Dafs117

A year and a half ago, Kevin Mitchell’s dream was over. A persistent hand injury forced him to take a lengthy layoff, flirting with retirement as he slaved on the train tracks to get by. It was set to be a sad end to a promising career which had already surpassed domestic level.

Mitchell persevered through the tough times, but was still struggling to make ends meet. After his hand had fully healed, Frank Warren knew that it was time to turn his undefeated prospect into a top 10 contender. The introduction of Jimmy Tibbs was an inspired change, as the veteran domestic trainer polished the reckless wild slugger into a well-rounded boxer.

Tibbs' re-branding process of Mitchell started with adding a more efficient jab and straight right hand to his arsenal. After successful public sparring sessions against Lanquaye Wilson and Rudy Encarnarcion, Tibbs regenerated Mitchell’s ability to find angles from the amateur days into an effective, multi-dimensional ‘Dagenham Destroyer’.

And on December 5, those world title aspirations were ignited again, this time at lightweight. He gave Breidis Prescott the boxing lesson that rival Amir Khan was supposed to play out in 2008, impressively out-shining Khan who headlined the card that night.

Mitchell could go one step further than Khan with a win over Michael Katsidis, a fighter that has constantly called out Khan to no prevail.

Say what you want about Katsidis’ goofy helmet, the guy comes to fight. His electrifying fights with Joel Casamyor, Graham Earl and Czar Amonsot has made Katsidis a fan favourite, gathering more tags as the modern day Arturo Gatti every time he steps into the square circle.

In his 28 professional outings, there has not been much ‘D’ from Katsidis. He prefers to walk through punches to land his own bombs, and this proved to be his downfall in his biggest career fights. Against the underrated then-champion Joel Casamayor,
Katsidis was flattened twice in the first, before weathering the early storm to floor Casamayor in the sixth. However, the lack of defense allowed Casamyor to consistently land power punches which drained Katsidis, forcing a stoppage in the tenth round.

The story wasn’t too different in the fight with Juan Diaz. Diaz threw quick 1-2 combinations before spinning away from Katsidis, who could not block any punches thrown by Diaz in the earlier rounds. Diaz utilized the jab to full effect, keeping Katsidis at bay to win a deserved split decision. It wasn’t the case that Diaz won the fight, it was more of what Katsidis could have polished since his defeat to Casamayor.

Since then, Katsidis has hammered home two impressive, but gruelling wins over a post-prime Jesus Chavez, and contender Vicente Escobedo, who exposed the flaws that Team Mitchell will be hoping to capitalise on at Upton Park come May 15.

Despite his background, the media have continued to turn a blind eye on Mitchell by concentrating on the Olympic silver medallist, Khan. This is Mitchell's chance to fill in Khan's spot as he plys his trade across the pond, completing his fairytale story in the process.

Your Ad Here

Michael Katsidis' Open Challenge to Juan Diaz!

Today i propose a challenge to to Juan Diaz !

This is your lifeline !  Lets play who wants to be a millionaire !

It is your turn  to phone a friend , call Golden boy and lets make this happen !

Since our last fight i have regained the WBO light weight championship of the world !

There has been talk for a bout against Robert Guerrero , a junior lightweight with little interest to me and nothing to gain !

Instead i choose a greater task with a personal meaning !

I propose to come Houston on the 27th of March and put everything i have gained on the line !

Juan this is your opportunity and i ask for a public response within the next 24 hours to show your willingness to accept this challenge !

With confidence , I will abide , come to Houston and and in front of 15000 or more fans defend my title !

MICHAEL KATSIDIS .

Your Ad Here

Katsidis-Guerrero, Maidana-Cayo Doubleheader For March 27?

by Dafs117

Boxingscene's Rick Reeno reports that HBO are structuring a doubleheader with former lightweight titlist Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO) and IBF super featherweight Robert Guerrero (25-1-1, 17 KO) as the main event on March 27.

With Amir Khan "deep in negotiations" with Juan Manuel Marquez, Katsidis-Guerrero could be for the full WBO title. In the co-feature, Marcos Maidana (27-1, 26 KO) and Victor Manuel Cayo (24-0, 16 KO) will also be filling the vacancy of the WBA light welterweight title left by Khan.

I would prefer to watch Khan-Maidana and Katsidis-Marquez than Khan-Marquez, with the winners of both facing off in an elimination process (dream on). I see Khan picking off Marquez round after round, jabbing and moving with Marquez too slow to counter. Khan-Maidana would at least give us a pop to see how much Khan has developed under Freddie Roach, but if they vacate, my respect for Khan as a champion is out of the window because I see Khan beating Maidana nine times out of ten.
Marquez and Katsidis is a mismatch, but if Marquez is on the slide and suffering mentally since the battering to Floyd Mayweather, Katsidis will at least make it interesting. Katsidis-Gurrero doesn't do anything for me. I think Katsidis power is overrated at world level and who knows how Gurrero will take an extra five pounds. Maidana-Cayo is a thrilling match-up.

There have been rumors circulating that WBO titlist Timothy Bradley's promoter Gary Shaw has attempted to match his fighter up with Maidana, but nothing has come of it at late.

Any fight with Maidana is good, but a Khan-Maidana fight is the one that fans want. Another group of good fights though added to a packed autumn schedule.

Your Ad Here

2009 Lightweight Report

by Dafs117

Somebody check the temperature, this division is getting hot.

Lightweight is one of the few divisions that have an obvious champion in Juan Manuel Marquez, when he defeated Juan Diaz in The Boxing Tribune’s Fight of the Year by ninth round knockout. Marquez is head and shoulders above the rest in talent, but that doesn’t limit his options at the weight class.

His next opponent is Michael Katsidis, an Australian warrior that drags every fighter into war. Katsidis sort of broke America, stopping Jesus Chavez and outpointing Vicente Escobedo on the Mayweather-Marquez undercard. Has another shot to capture the 135 pound crown, after being stopped by Joel Casamyor, who has since moved up in weight, in the tenth round of their war.

Juan Diaz has returned following his very short departure up in weight, as he had two contests with Paulie Malignaggi at catchweight, going 1-1 with the Magic Man. ‘Baby Bull’ will stage his comeback at lightweight, but it could be a difficult road back to the top of the rankings.

Behind Juan Manuel Marquez is Edwin Valero, a power punching beast that can’t get a license in the States. The Venezuelan is a beast, a monster in the ring, and his wild style will always make for exciting viewing. A fight with Katsidis would be outstanding, the sheer volume of power being thrown would be immense. Some doubt his whiskers, but they are untested at lightweight.

Your Ad Here

Read more »

The BTBC Rumor Mill

by Dafs117

With everybody discussing potential match-ups for 2010, I thought it would be a good idea to give some inside knowledge into potential fights. And after talking to many little birds, I’ve rustled up 10 boxing rumors that could be in place for 2010, with everyone a potential scoop.

Robert Stieglitz vs. Edison Miranda (WBO Super Middleweight)
Two hard-hitting sluggers could battle it out shortly after New Year’s Eve

Tomasz Adamek vs. Hasim Rahman
The Pole will return on February 6 and Rahman is in pole position, followed by Sam Peter

Paulus Moses vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (WBA Lightweight)
Could Barrera become a 4 weight world champion against undefeated Namibian

Steve Cunningham vs. Matt Godfrey (IBF Cruiserweight)
An all American affair could be in place in February

Chad Dawson vs. Jean Pascal (WBC Light Heavyweight)
Dawson will not wait for Hopkins, so could he fight a very live underdog in Jean Pascal

Yhonny Perez vs. Fernando Montiel (WBC & IBF Bantamweight)
Montiel could turn to Perez in a unification fight in the Summer after Gorres injury

Miguel Cotto vs. Jose Luis Castillo
Two post-prime attacking styles could meet in a crossroads fight in April

Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
Pacquiao foes face off in the biggest bout for British boxing

Edwin Valero vs. Humberto Soto (WBC Lightweight)
With Antonio DeMarco not quite ready for a title shot, Soto could jump up to face Valero

Joshua Clottey vs. Kermit Cintron
Two former welterweight titlists could face off for an interim belt

5 Unrealistic Rumors
Alfredo Angulo vs. Kermit Cintron II
Timothy Bradley vs. Mike Alvarado
Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon
Michael Katsidis vs. John Murray
Antonio Margarito vs. Zab Judah

Your Ad Here

The Weekend Hangover (9/18, 9/19)

Friday, September 18th

Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, CA

Tony Grano Ko 4 Travis Kaufmann
Chris Avalos KO 4 Giovanni Caro

Fontainbleau Hotel, Miami Beach, FL

Guillermo Rigondeaux TKO 3 Giovanni Andrade
Yudel Jhonson UD 8 Frankie Santos

Saturday, September 19th

MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV

Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Juan Manuel Marquez
Chris John UD 12 Rocky Juarez (WBA Featherweight Title)
Michael Katsidis SD 12 Vicente Escobedo
Cornelius Lock TKO 5 Orlando Cruz
Erislandy Lara KO 1 Jose Varela


Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

Sebastian Sylvester SD 12 over Giovanni Lorenzo (Vacant IBF Middleweight Title)
Francesco Pianeta RTD 8 Matt Skelton


Nomads Adventure Quest, South Windsor, CT

Matt Remillard TKO 4 Rafael Lora

Your Ad Here