Australia’s WBO interim lightweight boxing champion Michael Katsidis remained calm during a fiery and protracted weigh-in on the eve of his title defence.
Katsidis, from Toowoomba, will meet Filipino Czar Amonsot in Las Vegas on Sunday (Brisbane time). Katsidis was forced to wait his turn on the scales after a scuffle developed between the two main event fighters, light heavyweights Bernard Hopkins and Ronald “Winky” Wright.
The champion’s camp moved him away from the massive crowd and the brouhaha, which started when Hopkins shoved Wright and both entourages got involved.
“They started whacking each other and there was an all in brawl,” Katsidis’ trainer Brendon Smith said.
“They were stampeding the place. We got Mick out of there and sat back and had to wait and that delayed them getting on the scales for a good 45 minutes.
“We really had to protect him. There were people coming through everywhere, so there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving to get him out of there.
“We just took a seat behind the curtain right out of orbit, and we just all sat back and relaxed while everyone else was jumping around.”
While Katsidis stayed composed throughout today’s proceedings, Amonsot, who weighed in almost a kilo lighter than the champion, was “pumped up” according to Smith.
“The Filipino was very fired up at the weigh in.
They really had a bit of a glaring match when they were up on the scales and when they were taking the photos of them,” Smith said.
“It’s a psychological game and the good thing about Michael is he always holds great composure.”
Playing the waiting game has become second nature for Katsidis, who will finally make his American debut after four false starts.
Twice he was stalled by visa problems, another time he pulled out of a fight to pursue the vacant WBO interim title in England, and most recently, his scheduled opponent Joan Guzman withdrew with an injury.
“It’s all part of the game, these are the things that have made him a strong person,” Smith said of Katsidis.
Laconic Aussie Katsidis was relaxed about the prospect of strutting his stuff for the first time on boxing’s biggest stage in Las Vegas.
“It’s another day at work, but it’s a nicer office that I’m working in with more people around,” Katsidis said.
“It’s just one of those things where I take it in my stride.”
Smith said the key to tomorrow’s fight for Katsidis was for him to take control from the start and stay composed.
He felt the bookies were doing southpaw Amonsot (18-2-1, 10 KOS) a disservice, with the challenger listed at between $5.00 and $6.00 for a win and Katsidis (22-0, 20 KOs) between $1.08 and $1.11.
“That’s ridiculous odds for the Filipino, he’s a good fighter and he’s in a good camp, with one of the best trainers (Freddie Roach) in the world,” Smith said.
“I can assure you this guy can fight and it will be a good hard fight.
“We’re confident but not cocky.”
