Katsidis, 31, alters training, sets out to revive career
Michael Katsidis is out to prove it’s not too late to change. Having lost three of his last four fights, the 31-year-old Australian knows the window of time to turn around his career is ready to slam shut.
The first step of Katsidis’ attempted revival comes tonight against Albert Mensah of Ghana in a 10-round junior welterweight main event on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights from the Hard Rock Hotel.
“I have to win,” Katsidis said. “I’m 31. I’ve been in some wars. I have to show I’m not a shot fighter.”
To that end, Katsidis (28-5, 23 knockouts) has moved up to 140 pounds from 135, changed trainers from longtime mentor Brendon Smith to Justin Fortune and trimmed his fight preparation from three months to seven weeks while moving his camp from Thailand to Los Angeles.
“It’s been enjoyable,” Katsidis said. “Obviously things weren’t working the other way, so I’m trying something new.”
He had no choice after his most recent defeat. On Nov. 5, Ricky Burns won a 12-round unanimous decision over Katsidis in London for the interim WBO lightweight title. Katsidis also had lost to Robert Guerrero in April 2011 and Juan Manuel Marquez in November 2010.
“I was seriously considering retiring after the Burns fight,” Katsidis said. “But I believe these changes can restart my career.”
Fortune, who spent years working with fellow trainer Freddie Roach, said Katsidis still has something left.
“His problem was he never had a game plan going into his fights. He fought with nothing but heart. Now he has a plan. Everything Michael does has a purpose,” Fortune said.
“We’ve got him using his jab more. We’ve tightened up his punches; he’s throwing them more directly. And his footwork and balance is better. He’s on his toes more and his movement’s better.”
Fighting at 140 pounds, Katsidis figures to have more strength and stamina against Mensah (24-3-1, 10 KOs), who has fought mostly subpar competition, primarily in his native Africa, and is making his Las Vegas debut.
“(At 140), it’s a more level playing field for me now,” Katsidis said. “I’m at the place where I need to be.”
First bell for the card is 6:30 p.m.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.