Boxer Katsidis recovers from tragedy
The Boxing Writers Association of America next month will honor fighter Robert Guerrero for courage and overcoming adversity in dealing with wife Casey’s cancer battle.
Michael Katsidis, Guerrero’s opponent in Saturday’s WBA-WBO interim lightweight title fight at the MGM Grand, knows something about coping with adversity himself.
"I want a courage award, too," Katsidis said jokingly. "And a gold watch."
The 30-year-old native of Toowoomba, Australia, was training for his last fight when brother Stathi was found dead back home in Brisbane.
Despite the tragedy, Katsidis refused to call off his title shot against WBA and WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. He fought bravely, flooring Marquez in the third round of their Nov. 27 bout, but lost on a ninth-round technical knockout.
Katsidis (27-3, 22 knockouts) enters Saturday’s bout on the Erik Morales-Marcos Maidana undercard with a much different personality and outlook.
"I’m still looking for closure, but I feel a lot more relaxed coming into this fight," Katsidis said. "The last time I fought, I didn’t sleep for the two days before the fight. Mentally, I wasn’t there. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically. Everything had caught up with me.
"But some time has passed, and I’m excited to be back in the ring. I’m more like my old self."
Katsidis has been smiling, laughing, making jokes. He’s letting the authorities in Australia sort out the circumstances of his brother’s death and is concentrating on Guerrero (28-1-1, 18 KOs), a former world champion.
"I can relate to what he’s been through," Katsidis said. "Boxing’s a tough sport. You deal with a lot of adversity in the ring, and it helps you deal with adversity outside the ring."
Katsidis is a 2-1 underdog at the MGM’s sports book. Should he defeat Guerrero, Katsidis hopes to get another shot at Marquez.
"In a perfect world, I win that fight," Katsidis said. "I knocked him down and I let him up. It’s a tough lesson learned.
"But I know he’s chasing (Manny) Pacquiao. I understand that. Still, I’d love another crack at (Marquez). If he doesn’t fight Pacquiao, I’m his biggest fight."
Against Guerrero, Katsidis said he’ll do what he always does. Expect Katsidis to apply pressure, establish the tempo and try to make Guerrero pay for his mistakes.
"I don’t need to change anything," Katsidis said. "But one thing I’ve learned over the years is you never fight the fight before the fight."
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.