Michael Katsidis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael KatsidisΜιχάλης Κατσίδης |
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![]() Katsidis in 2011
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Statistics | |
Real name | Michael Alan Katsidis |
Nickname(s) |
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Rated at |
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Height | 1.70 m |
Reach | 168 cm |
Nationality | Australian |
Born | Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
15 August 1980
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 41 |
Wins | 33 |
Wins by KO | 24 |
Losses | 8 |
Michael Alan Katsidis (born 15 August 1980) is a former Australian professional boxer. He competed from 2001 to 2017. Katsidis was famous for his exciting and aggressive fighting style.
He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim lightweight title twice between 2007 and 2010. An interim title is a temporary championship. His thrilling fights often reminded people of another famous boxer, Arturo Gatti.
Contents
Early Boxing Career
Michael Katsidis started amateur boxing when he was only 11 years old. As an amateur, he had a fantastic record of 75 wins and only 6 losses.
His skill earned him a spot on the Australian Olympic team. He competed in the lightweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He also received a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport.
Olympic Games Results
- First round: Won against Agnaldo Nunes with a score of 15-6.
- Second round: Lost to Nurzhan Karimzhanov with a close score of 7-9.
Professional Career
Starting Out Strong
Katsidis became a professional boxer on December 1, 2001. He won his first fight by stopping his opponent in the third round. In just his second fight, he won the Australian lightweight championship.
He continued to win, scoring 19 more victories, mostly by knockout. During this time, he won several other titles, including the WBO Asia Pacific and IBF Pan Pacific lightweight championships.
Early in his career, Katsidis faced some personal challenges. These issues made it difficult for him to get a visa to travel to the United States for a few years.
Famous Fight with Graham Earl
On February 17, 2007, Katsidis fought Graham Earl in London for the WBO interim lightweight title. The fight was full of non-stop action.
Katsidis knocked Earl down twice in the first round and again in the second. But Earl was tough and fought back, even knocking Katsidis down once. In the end, Katsidis's constant pressure was too much. Earl's team stopped the fight after the fifth round, making Katsidis the winner.
First Fight in the United States
Katsidis defended his title against Czar Amonsot on July 21, 2007, in Las Vegas. This was his first fight in the U.S. and was shown on the HBO television network.
The fight was a tough, twelve-round battle. Katsidis knocked Amonsot down in the second and tenth rounds. The judges all agreed that Katsidis won the fight. Both boxers were very tired and needed medical check-ups after such a hard fight.
Facing Top Champions
First Career Loss
On March 22, 2008, Katsidis fought Joel Casamayor, a champion from Cuba. Casamayor started strong, knocking Katsidis down twice in the first round.
Katsidis fought back hard and even knocked Casamayor down in the sixth round. But in the tenth round, Casamayor landed a powerful punch that knocked Katsidis down again. The referee stopped the fight, giving Katsidis his first loss.
Second Defeat
Later that year, on September 6, Katsidis fought Juan Díaz in Houston, Texas. It was another close, twelve-round fight.
Díaz won by a split decision, meaning two judges thought he won while one judge thought Katsidis won. It was a tough second loss for Katsidis.
The Comeback Trail
Katsidis did not give up. In 2009, he won two important fights. First, he beat Angel Hugo Ramirez in the Philippines. Then, he defeated Jesús Chávez in Austin, Texas.
These wins earned him another big fight. On September 19, 2009, he fought Vicente Escobedo in Las Vegas. After twelve exciting rounds, Katsidis won by split decision. This victory made him the WBO interim lightweight champion for the second time.
Major Fights in 2010
Victory in London
On May 15, 2010, Katsidis traveled to London again. He fought the undefeated English boxer Kevin Mitchell.
Katsidis was very aggressive from the start. In the third round, he landed a series of powerful punches. The referee had to stop the fight, giving Katsidis a huge victory.
World Title Challenge
After beating Mitchell, Katsidis earned a shot at the full world title. He faced the legendary Juan Manuel Márquez on November 27, 2010, in Las Vegas.
Sadly, just a month before the fight, Katsidis's brother, Stathi, passed away. Despite his grief, Katsidis chose to go on with the fight.
He started strong, knocking Márquez down in the third round. But Márquez, a very skilled boxer, recovered and fought back. In the ninth round, the referee stopped the fight, and Márquez was declared the winner. Even though he lost, fans praised Katsidis for his bravery. The match was named HBO's "Fight of the Year" for 2010.
Later Career and Retirement
In 2011, Katsidis had two more tough fights. He lost to Robert Guerrero in April and to Ricky Burns in November. After many hard battles, doctors advised him to think about his health. They suggested he should consider retiring from boxing.
Katsidis took a break but returned for a few more fights. He fought his final match in 2017. He finished his professional career with a record of 33 wins and 8 losses, with 24 of his wins by knockout.
Personal Life
Katsidis is proud of his Greek roots. He often entered the boxing ring wearing a Corinthian helmet, like an ancient Greek warrior. He also has a tattoo on his back of the Vergina Sun, a symbol from the part of Greece where his family is from.
His brother, Stathi Katsidis, was a famous horse racing jockey in Australia.
In 2009, Katsidis married Kumiko Hosako from Japan. They have a daughter who was born in December 2009.
Professional boxing record
41 fights | 33 wins | 8 losses |
By knockout | 24 | 3 |
By decision | 9 | 5 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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41 | Loss | 33–8 | Jamie Hilt | SD | 3 (3) | 25 Nov 2017 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | Super 8 Showdown: welterweight semi-final |
40 | Win | 33–7 | Robert Toomey | SD | 3 (3) | 25 Nov 2017 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | Super 8 Showdown: welterweight quarter-final |
39 | Win | 32–7 | Josh King | UD | 8 | 11 Mar 2017 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | |
38 | Win | 31–7 | Rodynie Rafol | UD | 6 | 20 Mar 2015 | Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia | |
37 | Loss | 30–7 | Tommy Coyle | TKO | 2 (12), 1:33 | 25 Oct 2014 | Hull Arena, Hull, England | For IBF International lightweight title |
36 | Win | 30–6 | Graham Earl | UD | 12 | 4 Jul 2014 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | For WBU light-welterweight title |
35 | Win | 29–6 | Eddy Comaro | TKO | 3 (8), 1:11 | 14 Mar 2014 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | |
34 | Loss | 28–6 | Albert Mensah | MD | 10 | 13 Apr 2012 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, US | For IBF International light-welterweight title |
33 | Loss | 28–5 | Ricky Burns | UD | 12 | 5 Nov 2011 | Wembley Arena, London, England | For WBO interim lightweight title |
32 | Win | 28–4 | Michael Lozada | KO | 3 (10), 2:18 | 13 Aug 2011 | Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia | |
31 | Loss | 27–4 | Robert Guerrero | UD | 12 | 9 Apr 2011 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US | For WBA interim and WBO interim lightweight titles |
30 | Loss | 27–3 | Juan Manuel Márquez | TKO | 9 (12), 2:14 | 27 Nov 2010 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US | For WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles |
29 | Win | 27–2 | Kevin Mitchell | TKO | 3 (12), 1:57 | 15 May 2010 | Boleyn Ground, London, England | Retained WBO interim lightweight title |
28 | Win | 26–2 | Vicente Escobedo | SD | 12 | 19 Sep 2009 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US | Won vacant WBO interim lightweight title |
27 | Win | 25–2 | Jesús Chávez | RTD | 8 (10), 0:10 | 4 Apr 2009 | Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, US | |
26 | Win | 24–2 | Angel Hugo Ramirez | UD | 10 | 31 Jan 2009 | Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines | Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title |
25 | Loss | 23–2 | Juan Díaz | SD | 12 | 6 Sep 2008 | Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, US | For vacant IBO lightweight title |
24 | Loss | 23–1 | Joel Casamayor | TKO | 10 (12), 0:30 | 22 Mar 2008 | Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, US | Lost WBO interim lightweight title; For The Ring lightweight title |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Czar Amonsot | UD | 12 | 21 Jul 2007 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US | Retained WBO interim lightweight title |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Graham Earl | RTD | 5 (12), 3:00 | 17 Feb 2007 | Wembley Arena, London, England | Won vacant WBO interim lightweight title |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Jakkirt Suwunnalirt | KO | 2 (8), 2:26 | 2 Jun 2006 | Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Nonoy Gonzales | TKO | 5 (10), 2:01 | 3 Mar 2006 | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Australia | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Guillermo Mosquera | TKO | 1 (8), 2:38 | 11 Feb 2006 | Rumours International, Toowoomba, Australia | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Ranee Ganoy | TKO | 5 (12), 2:03 | 19 Aug 2005 | Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia | Retained WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Addisu Tebebu | TKO | 2 (8), 1:51 | 8 Jun 2005 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Pratet Sor Thanikul | KO | 2 (10), 1:46 | 20 May 2005 | Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, Australia | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Eduardo Enrique Alvarez | KO | 1 (12), 1:37 | 23 Feb 2005 | Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia | Retained WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Sergio Rafael Liendo | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | 6 Nov 2004 | University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia | Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific lightweight title |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Ivan Orlando Bustos | TKO | 4 (8), 0:46 | 24 Sep 2004 | Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, Australia | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Singsiam Eausampan | KO | 1 (12), 2:20 | 16 Jul 2004 | Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, Australia | Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Singsamut Eausampan | KO | 2 (8), 0:50 | 5 May 2004 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Kongthawat Sor Kitti | TKO | 9 (12) | 8 Apr 2004 | Cathedral Centre, Toowoomba, Australia | Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Fred Kinuthia | UD | 10 | 20 Feb 2004 | Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane, Australia | Won vacant Australian light-welterweight title |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Fred Kinuthia | TKO | 5 (8) | 5 Dec 2003 | Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, Australia | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Daniel Hoskins | TKO | 1 (6) | 19 Sep 2003 | Seagulls, Tweed Heads, Australia | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Mohammed Jamal Khan | KO | 1 (6) | 22 Aug 2003 | RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Kevin O'Neill | TKO | 4 (8) | 28 Sep 2002 | Saint Patricks Centre, Toowoomba, Australia | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Jay Washington | TKO | 1 (6), 1:03 | 19 Jul 2002 | RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Johnny Sheferaw | TKO | 7 (8) | 3 Jun 2002 | E.G. Whitlam Recreation Centre, Sydney, Australia | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | James Swan | UD | 12 | 9 Mar 2002 | Toowoomba Cathedral, Toowoomba, Australia | Won Australian lightweight title |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Danny Wilson | KO | 3 | 1 Dec 2001 | Saint Patricks Centre, Toowoomba, Australia | Won Queensland lightweight title |