KATSIDIS MAULS ESCOBEDO, WINS WBO INTERIM WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Sep 2009
Michael “The Great” Katsidis of Australia once again fought through blood and won the vacant WBO lightweight world title over Mexican-American Vicente Escobedo. The verdict was a split decision but should have been unanimous as Katsidis was clearly the aggressor and landed more punches.
Katsidis (26W-2L, 21 KO's) entered the ring wearing his now familiar Spartan headgear as a homage to his Greek Ancestry and warrior creed. From the opening bell Katsidis immediately gave Escobedo a taste of what he does best – apply pressure and inflict pain.
Escobedo (21W-2L, 13 KO's) tried to use his jab and box but Katsidis' suffocating offense and punishing body blows were just too much. The scar tissue around the Australian's eyes once again opened but he fortunately benefited once again from the services of cutman Nonito Donaire, Sr. Escobedo was retreating in the 8th and also got cut as the fight wore on.
Mike Fitzgerald had it 116-112 for Escobedo while Duane Ford has to 115-113 and Robert Hoyle had it 118-110 for Katisdis. This bout was in the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez fight card.
Last January. Katsidis won the vacant WBO Oriental-Pacific Lightweight title with a ten round unanimous decision win over Angel Hugo Ramirez of Spain at the Cebu Coliseum. In 2007 he won a bloody 12 round battle against the ALA Gym's Czar Amonsot. Katsidis then captained our victorious "World Cup" boxing team to victory against Mexico. Katsidis was in Manila last June where he issued a formal challenge to Manny Pacquiao. But the easy victory of Floyd Mayweather over Juan Manuel Marquez pushed Katsidis' name way back again in the list of possible Pacman opponents.
Top photo: Newly crowned WBO Interim Lightweight World Champion Michael Katsidis poses following his split decision victory over Vicente Escobedo on September 19, 2009 on the undercard of Six-Time World Champion Floyd Mayweather vs. Five-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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