KATISIDIS WAR AGAINST CASAMAYOR ON STUDIO 23
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Mar 2008
Picking up on its push to become a solid sports channel, ABS-CBN?s Studio 23 will telecast the projected war between Michael Katsidis of Australia and Cuba?s Joel Casamayor for the WBO lightweight title at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California.
The telecast to be handled by veteran commentator Sev Sarmenta and analyst, Atty. Ed Tolentino will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez has likened Katsidis to all-action fighter Arturo Gatti who was also famous for being cut and bleeding profusely just like Katsidis.
Gomez was quoted by well-known boxing writer Ron Borges as saying ?there?s not too much defense in Katsidis. He relies on his punching power. He?s a crowd pleasing fighter. He gets cut. He gets up. He hits like a mule. Fans love the excitement.?
Gomez said that in clashing with Casamayor, Katsidis is going up against an ageing champion ?with a big reputation who?s been in a lot of wars. It's then history of boxing ? the young, undefeated kid against the old lion. Now its up to him to deliver.
In his last fight, a title eliminator against Filipino southpaw Czar Amonsot who fought the fight of his life before losing by a unanimous decision in a brutal twelve round bout in which he had Katsidis in trouble but was unable to put him away allowing the bloodied and battered Katsidis to score two knockdowns that sealed the title fight for him.
In an epic blood and guts battle Katsidis fought through a deep gash over his left eye and cuts above and below his right to win in a brutal bout that ended the promising career of Amonsot who suffered slight bleeding in the brain.
The exciting Katsidis is undefeated with 20 knockouts in 23 wins and is regarded as one of the biggest, most relentless punchers in the lightweight division who is hoping that a win over Casamayor may be the first major step in a possible future showdown with newly-crowned WBC super featherweight champion and Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao who?s set to invade the lightweight ranks.
Casamayor, the former lightweight and junior lightweight champion is 36 years old has battled furiously against the likes of the late Diego Corrales, Acelino Freitas and Jose Luis Castillo. He defeated Corrales by split decision to win the lightweight title on October 7, 2006 and in his last bout on November 10, 2007 dropped a highly controversial split decision to Amando Santa Cruz at New York?s Madison Square Garden. Casamayor has a record of 35-3-1 with 21 knockouts.
Top photo: Joel Casamayor of Cuban and Michael Katsidis of Australia face off after their weighin Friday at the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, CA. Photo by Hogan Photos / Golden Boy.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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