Michael Katsidis

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Michael Katsidis
Statistics
Real name Michael Alan Katsidis
Nickname(s) Katsidis The Great
Rated at Lightweight
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Nationality Flag of Australia Australian Flag of Greece Greek
Birth date August 15, 1980 (1980-08-15) (age 27)
Birth place Toowoomba, Queensland,
Australia
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 24
Wins 23
Wins by KO 20
Losses 1
Draws 0
No contests 0

Michael Alan Katsidis (Greek: Mηχαελ Κατσηδης), (born August 15, 1980 in Toowoomba, Australia) is a professional boxer of Greek descent. He was formerly the World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight interim champion. His professional record is 23 wins with 20 KO's and 1 defeat.

Contents

[edit] Amateur career

[edit] Professional career

When entering the ring, Katsidis wears a Greek warrior helmet and in bouts his trunks often resemble a warrior's skirt both showing that he is proud of his Greek heritage. He also shows his Greek heritage with a tattoo on his back of a giant star, the star of Macedonia, representing the area of Greece where he is from. Michael made his professional debut on the 1st of December 2001, knocking out Danny Wilson in the third round for the QLD Lightweight title. In just his second professional fight, Michael won a 12 round unanimous decision, beating James Swan for the Australian lightweight title. Katsidis would go on to have another 19 wins before beating Graham Earl for the interim WBO Lightweight Title with a TKO in early 2007. The bout was candidate for fight of the year. He was to have fought Joan Guzman on May 26th 2007, however sources found Guzman withdrew from the fight claiming to have a minor hand injury.

Michael's most recent bout was a defence of his title against Czar Amonsot, July 21st in Las Vegas. The bout was another one that has been regarded as a potential fight of the year candidate. Following the July 21st bout Katsidis' opponent Czar Amonsot suffered a subdural hematoma, bleeding of the brain, putting his career in serious doubt.

After the bout Michael was to face Juan Diaz for the undisputed Lightweight championship of the world but problems with Diaz's promoter, Don King prevented this fight from occurring. On March 22nd Katsidis fought Joel Casamayor and lost for the first time when the Cuban stopped him in 10 rounds by knockout.

Katsidis will more than likely challenge Ricky Hatton in the next bout.

[edit] Honours

Katsidis has also been inducted in to the Hellenic hall of fame and announced an Honorary member of the Toowoomba community his city of birth.

Has made the Danny Hornet new years honours list for his amusing birth place name.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Vacant Lightweight boxing interim champion (WBO)
February 17, 2007 - March 2, 2008		 Succeeded by
Joel Casamayor
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