Michael Katsidis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Katsidis Μιχάλης Κατσίδης
Katsidis in 2011
Statistics
Real name	Michael Alan Katsidis
Nickname(s)	The Great Rocky
Rated at	Lightweight Light-welterweight Welterweight
Height	1.70 m
Reach	168 cm
Nationality	Australian
Born	(1980-08-15) 15 August 1980 (age 44) Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	41
Wins	33
Wins by KO	24
Losses	8

Michael Alan Katsidis (born 15 August 1980) is an Australian former professional boxer. He competed from 2001 to 2017. He was known for his exciting and aggressive fighting style. Many people compared him to the famous boxer Arturo Gatti. Michael held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim lightweight title twice. He also fought for the main lightweight title in 2008 and 2010.

Michael Katsidis' Boxing Journey

Starting as an Amateur Boxer

Michael Katsidis began his boxing journey at just 11 years old. As an amateur, he had an amazing record of 75 wins and only 6 losses! He even represented Australia at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He competed in the lightweight division. He also earned a special scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport.

2000 Olympic Results

• First round: He won against Agnaldo Nunes with a score of 15 to 6.
• Second round: He lost to Nurzhan Karimzhanov with a score of 7 to 9.

Turning Professional

Early Years: 2001–2007

Michael Katsidis became a professional boxer on 1 December 2001. In his very first professional fight, he won the Queensland lightweight title. He stopped his opponent, Danny Wilson, in the third round. In his second fight, he won the Australian lightweight championship. He kept winning, scoring 19 more victories, mostly by knockout. He also won three more titles: the Australian light-welterweight, WBO Asia Pacific lightweight, and IBF Pan Pacific lightweight championships.

Big Fight in London: Battle with Earl

On 17 February 2007, Michael fought Graham Earl in London for a new WBO interim lightweight title. It was a very exciting and fast-paced fight! Both boxers hit each other with powerful punches. Michael knocked Graham down twice in the first round and again in the second. Graham tried to fight back and even knocked Michael down for a moment. But Michael quickly recovered. He kept landing punches until Graham's team decided to stop the fight after the fifth round. Michael won the title!

First Fight in the United States

Michael was supposed to fight Joan Guzmán, but Joan got injured. So, on 21 July 2007, Michael defended his WBO interim lightweight title against Czar Amonsot in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was Michael's first fight in the United States. It was also his first time fighting on the famous HBO network.

It was a tough fight that lasted all twelve rounds. Czar was very strong, even though Michael knocked him down twice. Michael won the fight by a unanimous decision. Both boxers had to go to the hospital afterward because they fought so hard. Czar had a serious injury, which made his boxing future uncertain.

2008: Facing Tough Opponents

First Professional Loss

After the fight with Czar, Michael was set to fight Juan Díaz. But there were problems with the TV network and Juan's promoter. So, on 22 March 2008, Michael fought Joel Casamayor in California. Joel was the WBC and The Ring magazine lightweight champion.

Joel, who fought with his left hand forward (a southpaw), started strong. He knocked Michael down twice in the first round. But Michael kept fighting, putting on constant pressure. He even sent Joel tumbling through the ropes at one point! Michael was ahead on the judges' scorecards. However, in the tenth round, Joel landed a perfect punch that knocked Michael down a fourth time. Michael struggled to stand up, and the referee stopped the fight. This was Michael's first professional loss, and he lost his WBO interim lightweight title.

Second Loss: Juan Díaz Rematch

After his first defeat, Michael had a rescheduled fight with Juan Díaz on 6 September in Houston, Texas. This fight was for the vacant IBO lightweight championship. Michael didn't perform his best in this fight. Juan, who had also lost his previous fight, was determined to win. Juan landed many counterpunches and timed his attacks well. Michael suffered his second loss in a row. Juan won by a split decision, meaning two judges scored it for Juan, and one for Michael.

2009: The Comeback Trail

Katsidis wearing his signature helmet and trunks before entering the ring, 2010

Michael had a chance to win back the WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title on 31 January in the Philippines. His opponent was Angel Hugo Ramirez. Michael won the ten-round fight convincingly. He knocked Ramirez down four times! Michael won the fight by a unanimous decision.

On 4 April, Michael faced Jesús Chávez in Texas. This was part of a special tournament for lightweight boxers. Michael started slowly but soon used his usual aggressive style. He attacked constantly, which made Chávez quit before the eighth round began.

Return to Pay-Per-View

Michael's next fight was on 19 September in Las Vegas against Vicente Escobedo. This fight was for the vacant WBO interim lightweight title. The winner would get a chance to fight the WBO lightweight world champion.

Just like his fight with Czar Amonsot, Michael and Vicente exchanged many hard punches for all twelve rounds. Michael was aggressive, constantly moving forward and putting pressure on Vicente. Vicente, however, was good at counterpunching. In the end, the judges were split, but Michael won the fight and reclaimed the WBO interim lightweight title.

2010: Big Fights and Challenges

Back in London

After winning the interim title, Michael waited to see if he would fight Juan Manuel Márquez, the WBO lightweight world champion. Márquez had to decide if he would defend his title or move to a heavier weight class.

On 15 May, Michael fought Kevin Mitchell in London. This fight was for Michael's WBO interim lightweight title. Michael started aggressively, throwing many hooks. In the third round, Michael landed a combination of punches that hurt Kevin. Kevin couldn't recover, and the referee stopped the fight. Michael won by technical knockout and kept his title!

Waiting for a World Title Shot

After the Mitchell fight, the WBO ordered Juan Manuel Márquez to fight Michael for the full lightweight world championship. If Márquez didn't fight Michael, he would lose his title. Michael even attended Márquez's next fight to watch and show that he was ready to challenge him.

World Title Challenge: Márquez vs. Katsidis

On 25 August, it was announced that Márquez would stay at lightweight and defend his titles against Michael Katsidis. The fight was set for 27 November in Las Vegas. It was a huge event, and Michael was the main fighter for an HBO World Championship Boxing broadcast for the first time. Sadly, during Michael's training in Thailand, his brother, Stathi Katsidis, passed away on 19 October.

Many people expected this to be an exciting fight. Michael even knocked Márquez down in the third round with a powerful left hook! But Márquez recovered quickly. He started to land accurate counterpunches, slowly taking control of the fight. In the ninth round, Márquez landed several uppercuts that hurt Michael. The referee stopped the fight to protect Michael. Even though Michael lost, this fight was so good that HBO gave it the "Fight of the Year" award for 2010!

2011: More Challenges

Katsidis (right) with Brendon Smith (centre) and Graham Earl (left), 2011

Michael's next fight was on 9 April 2011, against Robert Guerrero. This was a rescheduled fight from 2010. It was for the WBA and WBO interim lightweight titles. Robert Guerrero fought very well, keeping Michael at a distance and landing accurate punches. Michael had a tough time finding an answer to Robert's style.

Michael seemed to score a knockdown in the second round, but the referee didn't count it. In the fourth round, both fighters exchanged wild punches. Robert continued to dominate the fight. Michael lost two points in the eighth round for hitting too low. Robert also lost a point for the same reason in the ninth. After all twelve rounds, Robert Guerrero won by a unanimous decision.

Michael then moved up to the light-welterweight division for a fight against Michael Lozada on 13 August in Australia. It was his first fight in Australia since 2006. Michael Lozada was outmatched, and Michael Katsidis stopped him in the third round.

Michael then moved back down to lightweight to fight Ricky Burns for the vacant WBO interim lightweight title. The fight took place in London on 5 November. Ricky Burns defeated Michael by unanimous decision.

Later that month, Michael and his long-time trainer, Brendon Smith, decided to go their separate ways after almost twenty years. Michael said he was looking for a new manager, promoter, and trainer for his future fights.

2012: New Trainers

Michael hired a new trainer, Justin Fortune. He moved up to light-welterweight again for a fight against Albert Mensah on 13 April 2012, in Las Vegas. Michael threw many punches, but Albert Mensah landed fewer but more powerful punches, especially uppercuts. In the ninth round, Michael was hurt several times. Albert Mensah won the fight by a majority decision.

Later in the year, Michael was supposed to fight Darleys Pérez, but he had to withdraw due to a knee injury. At one point, there was talk of a big fight against British star Ricky Hatton, but Hatton chose another opponent. Michael later said he would stay at lightweight, which he felt was his best weight class. He also moved back to Sydney and hired a new trainer, Johnny Lewis.

2013: Health Concerns and Time Off

Michael's first fight of 2013 was planned for 21 February. However, the fight was cancelled because Michael received medical advice to retire. Medical tests showed he had some scarring on his brain, and doctors advised him to stop boxing for his health.

In July, Michael said he wanted to have one last farewell fight in his hometown of Toowoomba, where he hadn't fought since 2006. He also said he was cleared to fight and had other plans outside of boxing. A fight was planned for December, but it didn't happen.

2014: Back in the Ring

Michael reunited with his former trainer, Brendon Smith, before 2014. On 14 March, Michael fought Eddy Comaro in Toowoomba. He stopped Comaro in three rounds.

A rematch with Graham Earl, whom Michael first fought in 2007, took place on 4 July in Toowoomba. Michael won by unanimous decision.

On 25 October, Michael traveled to England to face Tommy Coyle. Michael suffered his seventh career loss when he was knocked down and stopped in the second round.

Michael Katsidis' Life Outside the Ring

Michael Katsidis has Greek heritage. He often showed pride in his background by wearing a special Corinthian helmet when he entered the boxing ring. His boxing shorts often looked like a warrior's skirt. He also has a tattoo on his back of the Vergina Sun, a symbol from Macedonia, where his family comes from. He went to Downlands College for school.

His brother, Stathi Katsidis, was a very famous jockey in Australia. Sadly, Stathi passed away on 19 October 2010.

In February 2009, Michael married Kumiko Hosako from Japan. They had a daughter on 8 December 2009.

Professional Boxing Record