Ultimately, boxing champion Michael Katsidis offered only about eight minutes of action during his highly anticipated return to Australia.
However, there were no complaints after the crowd witnessed the unusual sight of him smiling following his brutal knockout victory over Mexican junior welterweight Michael Lozada, which took place on the Gold Coast last week.
That unusual sight was Katsidis beaming.
Few would have begrudged him a comfortable evening, especially after the challenging 10 months that followed the tragic loss of his brother, champion jockey Stathi.
Katsidis, now 30, had Lozada gasping on all fours after the fight was halted at 2 minutes and 18 seconds into the third round…and he quickly had Cuban Joel Casamayor in his sights.
This marked a victorious comeback for Toowoomba-born Katsidis (28 wins, 4 losses, 23 KOs) in his first bout on Australian soil in five years.
His sequence of body shots that knocked Lozada down (38 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw, 30 KOs) eliminated any doubts regarding the two-time WBO interim lightweight champion’s ability to maintain power while moving up a weight class.
Nevertheless, there was another, more intimate, reason for Katsidis’ radiant smile as the Gold Coast crowd erupted in chants of his name.
Katsidis expressed that he could finally find closure after Stathi’s passing.
He had refused to delay his scheduled fight with WBA and WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez last November, which took place shortly after the death of his brother.
While he did suffer a defeat at the hands of Marquez, even after flooring him early, he also lost his subsequent world title bout against American Robert Guerrero in April.
“I had Marquez on the canvas just three weeks after Stathi was gone, and now I have come back and found a way to cope better,” Katsidis shared.
“More time has passed, and I believe that will contribute positively to my performances.”
Brendon Smith, Katsidis’ manager, provided insight into the struggles his star fighter had been facing.
“It was wonderful to see him at ease…he was enjoying himself out there,” Smith remarked.
“We don’t make excuses, but everyone knows the situation…it’s been quite challenging.”
“Though we’ve been struggling, we’ve worked through it.”
Katsidis mentioned that he had made a ‘statement’ with his knockout win and expressed his intent to explore the world for his next opponent, noting names like Mexican superstar Erik Morales and British fighter Amir Khan as prospects.
However, Smith indicated that Casamayor, who handed Katsidis his first loss in 2008, was a top priority…and he wanted that bout to be held in Australia.
“Joel Casamayor is definitely one that weighs heavily on my mind… I would love to have him back right here in our backyard,” he said.
Regardless of whether he stays at junior welterweight or moves back to lightweight, Katsidis affirmed he was prepared to challenge the best in the world again.
“I’m certain there are eyes in England and America that were closely watching that fight,” he stated.
“I held my ground. The differences between lightweight and my current weight class were minimal.”
“I’m willing to go to any lengths for my next fight.”
“This is my profession. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
by Buford Balony
