LEGENDARY TRAINER WARNS KATSIDIS AGAINST FIGHTING PACQUIAO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Aug 2007
Australia’s five-time world champion boxing trainer Johnny Lewis has warned WBO lightweight champion Michael Katsidis not to think of fighting Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao in the near future.
The Australian website SportsNut.com said Lewis was reacting to a statement by Golden Boy Promotions international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who was in the Philippines recently and said his dream was to stage a blockbuster pay-per-view fight between Pacquiao and Katsidis in Las Vegas.
Katisidis earned the admiration of millions of Filipino fight fans after his bloody brawl with Czar Amonsot and his closeness to the Filipino boxers in the World Cup showdown against Mexico where he stood in the corner of the Filipinos wearing a jacket with the Philippine flag.
But even Filipino boxing writers and fans believe it would be rushing Katisids too soon against a devastating puncher like Pacquiao. They shared the views of Lewis who said Katsidis is “not ready and is at least 12 to 18 months away from being able to match it with one of the best fighters in the world.”
Lewis said “make no mistake Manny Pacquiao is one of the most exciting fighters of all time and maybe the best Asian fighter ever...” The renowned trainer noted that Katisidis has “made his name on the strength of two wars with Graham Earl and Czar Amonsot who,lets face it, are not exactly the cream of the boxing crop.” Lewis added, “as a trainer I always believe in going into a fight with as much in your boxer’s favor as possible.” Lewis also shot down multi-titled champion Jeff Fenech’s prediction that Chris John will beat Pacquiao saying “I can’t see that happening. Chris is a clever boxer but Pacquiao is something very special.”
Top photo: Michael Katsidis (R), who took the role as a Team Captain of the Philippines during the World Cup showdown between the Philippines and Mexico in Sacramento on Aug. 5, raises the hands of Michael Domingo who won over the previously undefeated Mexican prospect Miguel Roman. Photo by Dong Secuya.
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