The scourge of British boxers, Australian Michael Katsidis is poised to scuttle the hopes of Scotland’s former WBO super featherweight world champion Ricky Burns in a November lightweight world title fight.
The Queensland fighter’s manager and trainer Brendon Smith told AAP he had reached a verbal agreement with the management of Burns for a WBO interim lightweight fight on either November 5 or 12.
Smith said he has received a written contract and just had to finalise a few details before formally committing to the bout.
While there is talk the fight will be in Glasgow, Smith said there is also a chance it could be held in London.
Two-times WBO interim lightweight world champion Katsidis (28-4, 23 KOs) has already claimed a couple of notable scalps in British rings.
He stopped Englishman Graham Earl in five rounds in a memorable WBO interim lightweight world title war in London in 2007, which was widely regarded as the best fight of that year.
Katsidis then demolished previously unbeaten Kevin Mitchell in three rounds in London in May 2010, when Burns appeared on the undercard in his last bout before winning his WBO title.
A rematch with Mitchell mooted for next month appears to have come to nothing, though Smith said it was not for lack of interest on his fighter’s part.
Although Burns 32-2 (9 KOs) has a modest KO percentage, Smith stressed that wasn’t a true indicator of the Scot’s ability and punching prowess.
Burns, 28, dethroned Roman Martinez despite being knocked down in the first round and went on to make three successful defences.
He has won 17 consecutive fights stretching over four years.
Should the proposed bout with Burns not proceed, Smith revealed Katsidis could fight Mexico’s former WBC lightweight and super featherweight world champion Humberto Soto (56-7-2, 33 KOs).
Katsidis is back working in his training camp in Thailand.
The 31-year-old Australian fought at light welterweight in his most recent bout against Mexican Michael Lozada, who he stopped in three rounds on the Gold Coast in August.
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