It?s been an incredibly tough 12 months for Michael “The Great” Katsidis 28-4 (23). Just six weeks before the biggest fight of his life last year, he lost his brother, Stathi. Katsidis ultimately decided to go on with the show against lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and despite putting the modern-day legend on the seat of his pants in the third, he ultimately succumbed when he was stopped in the ninth frame. He returned against Robert Guerrero just four months later and lost a wide decision. Recently, for the first time in four years, Katsidis fought in front of his home fans in Australia, snapping his two-fight losing streak when he stepped up to light welterweight for the first time in several years. He would brutalise fringe contender Michael Lozada in three rounds at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in his home province of Queensland. The 31-year-old has always given fans at home and in America value for their money during his ten-year career with his all-action style that has seen him involved in several ?Fight of the Year? candidates, making it all the more surprising that his fight with Lozada wasn?t on Australian TV (God bless the Internet!). Having return to his winning ways against Lozada, Katsidis now hopes to take on one of the big names at either 135 or 140. One thing you can be certain of, it?ll be exciting; it always is when Katsidis enters the ring.
Anson Wainwright – What can you tell us about the fight and your performance against Michael Lozada?
Michael Katsidis – I felt very strong at the weight. I can still make lightweight but I believe I could make junior lightweight as well. It?s mainly discipline. This doesn?t mean lightweight is the weight I will perform my best. If I tweak a couple things in my diet, I think it could work. Fighting Lozada at 140 was taking a risk in the sense that Lozada has a record of 38 wins and 30 by way of knockout, meaning he was a fighter that obviously carries power. A fighter can?t really get an idea how they are fighting at a weight until they actually do it so I could say that I am more than happy with my performance and to have a win, especially in the fashion, having a third round KO.
AW – What was it like fighting at home? What were the crowd like?
MK – We did a relatively quick promotion and the best part about fighting at home was having such a passionate crowd in my corner. From anyone that was at the fight, the response I got was that the atmosphere was amazing.
AW – Now that you?ve taken care of Lozada, what do you personally want to do next? HBO and Showtime?s fall schedule is pretty full, so what are your thoughts on possibly fighting in Australia again? Maybe revenge match against Ameth Diaz after he beat Lenny Zappavigna?
