WORLD EXCLUSIVE!! AMONSOT TO CHALLENGE KATSIDIS FOR WBO CROWN!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Jun 2007
In a major development for Philippine boxing, Filipino Czar Amonsot has been greenlighted to challenge WBO lightweight king Michael Katsidis in a 12-round showdown on July 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Katsidis-Amonsot rumble will be on the undercard of the mammoth Golden Boy Promotions card featuring Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins in a titanic showdown with Winky Wright.
Katsidis was originally slated to face Joan Guzman last May 26, but the latter sustained an injury while training, thus scrapping the fight.
Amonsot was also originally slated to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight crown against Hero Katili in Cebu on July 7, but had to be pulled out to make way for the much-bigger fight with Katsidis.
The Katsidis-Amonsot showdown was made courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions, the ALA Boxing Gym/SGG Sports Promotions, and the indefatigable international matchmaker Sampson 'Picasso' Lewkowicz.
"It's confirmed. Amonsot will fight Katsidis. I already talked to him (Amonsot) and he is excited," said top Cebu sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer, who manages Amonsot.
Katsidis, an Australian named 'Rocky,' holds a perfect record of 22 wins with 20 KO's, and gained world prominence following his bout with Graham Earl last February. It was a give-and-take bout now considered by many as a possible Fight of the Year candidate.
Amonsot, who hails from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, just like another protege of Aldeguer, Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista, follows a 'Cinderella Man' story as he is coming off a low-point in his career, only to bounce back impressively by winning the WBO regional title in Seoul, Korea.
WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, who is credited for sanctioning Amonsot's first title opportunity, cites Amonsot's resolve and determination in coming back to notch this world title opportunity.
"I haven't seen the style of Katsidis, but I've seen how terrific is Czar's present shape. He has been sparring against OPBF lightweight champ Randy Suico, WBF world champion welterweight Dondon Sultan, and Philippine junior welter king Mark Jason Melligen," said ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor in an interview.
Top photo caption: Czar Amonsot speaks to the media during last Saturday's presscon at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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