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 45) Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	41
Wins	33
Wins by KO	24
Losses	8

Michael Alan Katsidis (born August 15, 1980) is an Australian former professional boxer. He competed from 2001 to 2017. Michael was known for his exciting and aggressive fighting style. Many compared him to the famous boxer Arturo Gatti. He held the WBO interim lightweight title twice. This was between 2007 and 2010. He also challenged for the main lightweight title in 2008 and 2010.

Michael Katsidis' Amateur Boxing Career

Michael Katsidis started boxing at age 11. He had a great amateur 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 received a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport.

2000 Olympic Boxing Results

• In the first round, he won against Agnaldo Nunes with a score of 15:6.
• In the second round, he lost to Nurzhan Karimzhanov with a score of 7:9.

Michael Katsidis' Professional Boxing Journey

Michael Katsidis began his professional boxing journey on December 1, 2001. He won his first fight by stopping Danny Wilson in the third round. This earned him the Queensland lightweight title. In his second fight, he won the Australian lightweight championship. He continued to win, mostly by knockout. He collected three more titles: the Australian light-welterweight, WBO Asia Pacific lightweight, and IBF Pan Pacific lightweight championships.

Early Professional Fights (2001–2007)

Winning the Interim Lightweight Title

On February 17, 2007, Michael fought Graham Earl in London. This was for the new WBO interim lightweight title. It was a very exciting and fast-paced fight. Both boxers traded many strong punches. Michael knocked Earl down twice in the first round and again in the second. Earl managed to knock Michael down briefly, but Michael quickly recovered. Michael then delivered many punches to Earl. Earl's team decided to stop the fight after the fifth round. Michael won the title.

First Fight in the United States

Michael then defended his WBO interim lightweight title against Czar Amonsot. This fight took place on July 21, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was Michael's first fight in the United States. It was also his first time appearing on the HBO network. Both boxers fought a tough and bloody match for twelve rounds. Amonsot was a strong opponent, even though he was knocked down twice. Michael won by a judges' decision. Both fighters needed medical attention after the intense fight.

Challenges and Comebacks (2008–2009)

First Professional Defeat

On March 22, 2008, Michael fought Joel Casamayor. Casamayor was the WBC and The Ring magazine lightweight champion. Casamayor started strong, knocking Michael down twice in the first round. As the fight went on, Michael's powerful punches and constant pressure began to work. He even sent Casamayor tumbling through the ropes in the sixth round. Michael was ahead on two judges' scorecards. However, in the tenth round, Casamayor landed a strong punch. Michael was knocked down a fourth time and could barely stand. The referee stopped the fight. This was Michael's first professional loss. He also lost his WBO interim lightweight title.

Second Consecutive Loss

After this loss, Michael fought Juan Díaz on September 6, 2008. This was for the vacant IBO lightweight championship. Michael did not perform his best in this fight. Díaz was able to land many counterpunches and timed his attacks well. Michael's face was once again bloody and bruised. He suffered his second loss in a row. Díaz won by a split decision from the judges.

Getting Back on Track

Michael had a chance to win back the vacant WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title. He fought Angel Hugo Ramirez on January 31, 2009, in the Philippines. Michael won this ten-round fight clearly. Ramirez was knocked down four times during the match. Michael won by a unanimous decision from the judges.

On April 4, Michael faced Jesús Chávez in Texas. This was part of a special lightweight tournament. Michael started carefully but soon took control with his usual strong attacks. Chávez got a bad cut on his forehead. His team decided to stop the fight before the eighth round. Michael won.

Winning Back the Interim Title

Michael's next fight was against Vicente Escobedo on September 19, 2009, in Las Vegas. This fight was for the WBO interim lightweight title. The winner would get a chance to fight the WBO lightweight world champion. Like his fight with Amonsot, Michael and Escobedo exchanged many hard punches for twelve rounds. Michael was aggressive, constantly moving forward. Escobedo, though retreating, landed accurate counterpunches. Michael's face showed cuts and a swollen jaw by the end. The judges were split, but Michael won the decision.

Challenging for World Titles (2010)

Defending the Interim Title in London

After winning the interim title, Michael waited to see if he would fight Juan Manuel Márquez. Márquez was the WBO champion. On May 15, 2010, Michael fought Kevin Mitchell in London. This was to defend his WBO interim lightweight title. Mitchell tried to keep Michael away with his jab. But Michael's aggressive style and hooks made Mitchell fight on the back foot. In the third round, Michael landed a combination of hooks that hurt Mitchell. Mitchell could not recover, and the referee stopped the fight. Michael won and kept his title.

A World Title Opportunity

The WBO then said that Juan Manuel Márquez had to fight Michael for the full lightweight world championship. Márquez decided to stay at lightweight and defend his titles against Michael. The fight was set for November 27, 2010, in Las Vegas. This was a big event for Michael, as he was headlining an HBO World Championship Boxing broadcast for the first time. During his training, Michael faced a personal challenge when his brother, Stathi, sadly passed away.

Many expected an exciting fight. Márquez was knocked down in the third round by a strong punch from Michael. However, Márquez quickly recovered. He started to land accurate counterpunches, slowing Michael's aggression. In the ninth round, Márquez landed several uppercuts that hurt Michael. The referee stopped the fight. Michael lost, but the fight was so good that HBO named it the 2010 Fight of the Year.

Later Career and Health (2011–2014)

More Challenging Fights

Michael's next fight was on April 9, 2011, against Robert Guerrero. This was for the WBA and WBO interim titles. Guerrero kept a safe distance and landed many accurate punches. Michael had trouble finding an answer to Guerrero's style. Michael lost by a unanimous decision from the judges.

Michael then moved up to the light-welterweight division. He fought Michael Lozada on August 13, 2011, in Australia. Michael stopped Lozada in the third round.

He then moved back down to lightweight to fight Ricky Burns for the vacant WBO interim lightweight title. This fight was in London on November 5, 2011. Burns defeated Michael by a unanimous decision.

Changes in Training

In 2012, Michael hired a new trainer, Justin Fortune. He moved up to light-welterweight again. He fought Albert Mensah on April 13, 2012, in Las Vegas. Michael threw many punches, but Mensah landed fewer but more powerful ones. Mensah won by a majority decision.

Later that year, Michael was supposed to fight Darleys Pérez but had to withdraw due to a knee injury. He later decided to stay at lightweight, which he felt was his best weight class. He also hired veteran trainer Johnny Lewis for his future fights.

Taking a Break for Health

In February 2013, a fight for Michael was canceled. Doctors advised him to take a break from boxing for his health after medical tests. A week later, more information from the scans showed some changes in his brain that needed attention. In July, Michael said he wanted one more fight in his hometown. He also mentioned having other goals outside of boxing.

Return to the Ring

Michael reunited with his long-time trainer Brendon Smith in 2014. He fought Eddy Comaro on March 14, 2014, in Toowoomba, Australia. Michael stopped Comaro in three rounds.

He then had a rematch with Graham Earl on July 4, 2014. Michael won this fight by a unanimous decision.

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

Michael Katsidis' Personal Life

Michael Katsidis has Greek heritage. He often showed this by wearing a Corinthian helmet when he entered the boxing ring. His boxing shorts sometimes looked like a warrior's skirt. He also has a tattoo on his back. It shows the Vergina Sun, a symbol from Macedonia, where his family comes from. He attended Downlands College.

His brother, Stathi Katsidis, was a very well-known jockey in Australia. Stathi passed away on October 19, 2010.

In February 2009, Michael married Kumiko Hosako in Bangkok. They welcomed their daughter on December 8, 2009.

Professional Boxing Record

Images for kids

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

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