KATSIDIS IN WBO ASIA PACIFIC TITLE FIGHT IN CEBU
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 13 Jan 2009
Michael Katsidis who engaged Czar Amonsot in a bloody brawl in Las Vegas some two years ago will battle Argentina?s Angel ?El Tren? Ramirez for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title at the Cebu Coliseum on January 31.
Three other promising young Filipinos will also defend their WBO regional titles against Thai opponents on the same card in an international boxing series promoted by the well-known boxing manager/promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
Undefeated WBO Oriental junior lightweight champion Anthony ?Rocky? Marcial who has an impressive record of 10 knockouts in 11 wins clashes with Vacharakrit Senayan who is also undefeated with a record of 11-0 with 7 knockouts.
Another undefeated prospect Ciso ?Kid Terrible? Morales (12-0, 8 KO?s) defends his WBO Oriental junior featherweight crown against Pitchitchoke Singmanasak (14-7, 8 KO?s) while a third undefeated prospect, WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight champion Marvin ?Marvelous? Sonsona battles Liempetch Sor Veerapol, the 20 year old Thai with a record of 12-4 with 8 knockouts.
While the Filipinos should win comfortably and please the Cebu fight fans, Katsidis will surely be the attraction because of his aggressive style and his Philippine connection.
Fight fans remember Katsidis as the one who stepped in for ring icon Manny Pacquiao, captained the Philippine Team and carried the Philippine flag into the ring when the Philippines routed Mexico 5-1 in the ?World Cup of Boxing? at the Arco Arena in Sacramento in August 2007.
The fight against southpaw Amonsot was an action-packed and sometimes brutal battle that was in the running for ?Fight of the Year? honors. Katsidis was badly cut over and under his left eye while there was a cut also inflicted on his left cheek. But Katsidis proved to be a genuine ring gladiator and won a twelve round decision after which both men ended in hospital, side by side.
Doctors discovered a speck of blood outside the brain of Amonsot and his career appeared to be at an end. However, subsequent MRIs showed there was no trace of any problem and after being given clearance to resume fighting by a well-known neurosurgeon Amonsot returns to the ring on January 31 in Tagbilaran City.
While expressing his concern over Amonsot?s return, Katsidis has wished him all the best.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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