- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Michael Katsidis has suffered his fifth loss in his past eight fights, pointing to what could be the end of the Australian boxer’s career.
Katsidis was put down in the second round by 25-year-old Englishmen Tommy Coyle on Saturday night in Hull, who defended his IBF international lightweight title.
Coyle is a decent fighter, with 20 wins from his 22 pro bouts, but in Katsidis’ peak he wouldn’t have troubled him.
Sadly, Katsidis peak is long gone.
The 34-year-old, who turned pro after the Sydney Olympics way back in 2001, has fought some of the elite fighters in his division. He has travelled the globe and been one of the most entertaining boxers in the past decade.
He thrilled in beating Graham Earl at Wembley in 2007, fought a war with Czar Amonsot in Vegas and battled against Joel Casamayor in 2008. There were more bloody wars against Juan Diaz, Jesus Chavez, Vincent Escobedo and Kevin Mitchell.
Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez was too strong for him in 2010, as was Robert Guerrero a year later, and then Ricky Burns won a points decision over him in London.
When Katsidis was beaten in Vegas in 2012 by Albert Mensah, after taking on a new trainer, his best days appeared clearly behind him. Then came a health scare, with a scan showing scarring on the brain, then that was rebuffed and retirement canned.
He beat an easy opponent in Indonesian Eddy Comaro in his hometown of Toowoomba earlier this year, and then had a rematch with the ancient Earl. Many questioned the validity of the fight with Earl, now 36, who hadn’t fought in five years.
But the Queenslander dispatched them both and Katsidis saw the bout with Coyle as a step back to the big-time. It wasn’t to be.
In the first round he came forward and attacked, sensing that he needed to pressure his young opponent. But he copped plenty of punishment as he stepped forward, Coyle the much busier of the two. He was faster and crisper, moving freely and jabbing well off the back foot.
In the second round Katsidis was dropped just 80 seconds in. It seemed a pretty innocuous blow, a counter-attacking left hook and not a genuine knockout blow, but that was all that was needed to put him down.
Katsidis got back to his feet but was shaky and the referee stepped in to wave it away.
The English commentators raved that Katsidis was “one of the toughest men in the game” and “one of the most engaging and exciting fighters in recent times”.
Both plaudits are true. But time, and years of punishment, have caught up with him.
‘The Warrior’ has always lived up to his ring nickname and all the wars he has gone through have had an effect. Let’s hope Katsidis sees the light and calls it a day. It can only get worse from here.
Katsidis has been a fan favourite around the world but never got the proper attention he deserved from his homeland, which is a shame.
Out of all the Australian boxers of the past 10 years or so the lightweight is one of the rare fighters to have taken on the best in the game, never shirked a challenge or taken a backward step. He has always given everything he could in the ring.
In retirement he deserves the accolades and true respect he never received in Australia.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.