Not really a fair match up as Katsidis was a Lightweight, did he even fight as a Jr Welterweight ? Style wise Katisidis with his swarming style could give Tszyu some issues. Remember Tszyu lost to Hatton, Phillips, who beat him by swarming him. But considering this is at 140 and not a fair match up, Tszyu by devastating KO as its Jr Welterweight vs a Lightweight.
Hatton and Philips were top fighters. Katsidis was a scrub. Even if he were a natural junior welter, this would be a mismatch. The fact that Kostya is the bigger man makes it an ultra-mismatch. Tszyu inside of 4.
A scrub that gave JMM and Casamayor all they could handle. I certainly would never classify a warrior like Katsidis as a "scrub". In his prime he normally did very well against top level opposition. As for Vince Phillips being a a top fighter ? he got beaten by the very best normally and in one sided fashion to the likes of Quartey, Forrest. His short title reign was nothing that spectacular either when Millett ended it by destroying him. Overall Phillips was a very solid fighter and maybe a bit underrated, but I'm not sure I rate him quite as highly as you do. He had a good performance vs Tszyu, but outside of that his career wasn't that memorable. Again I heavily favour Tszyu to KO Katsidis I already stated that, but if Katsidis can make Jr Welterweight with no issue. His swarming aggressive style may give Tszyu something to think about early, as that is a style that troubled Tszyu as Hatton and Phillips showed. And whilst Katsidis was crude he was as game as they come, and was on the verge of beating Casamayor, and heavily dropped JMM and gave him a very tough fight for 9 rounds.
Phillips was light years better then Michael and its not even close. He beat Ward. He destroyed Sanchez with one shot. Also put a beating on Pendleton as well. The problem with Vince is he got into drugs pretty bad and it side tracked his career. He didnt come close to being what he could have been. He was a top amateur as well. I like Michael and admire his heart and determination but Vince was alot more skilled then Michael and hit alot harder.
Pendleton was finished by that point, he beat Ward on a cut, and Sanchez was hyped before Ward stopped him but I don't think he was that good overall. Phillips was good and better than Katsidis, never denied that and I'm not trying to discredit Phillips who is underrated. All I was saying is that in Tszyu's only 2 losses, He lost to two fighters who didn't give him room, and Katsidis who is a swarmer did give two very elite fighters like Casamayor, Marquez, hell. So I don't think it's out of the question Katsidis could make it interesting early on. Overall I don't think anyone disagrees that Tszyu wouldn't stop Katsidis, I just think it might be a bit tougher than people think. And that's assuming that Katsidis is as effective at 140.
I like Katsidis…he was a tough ol bugger, a warrior and I loved watching his fights. But he’s a level or two down from Tszyu and I can’t see beyond a stoppage defeat for MK.
It would probably look like Ben Tackie fight, just wouldn't last 12 since Katsidis was smaller and not quite as durable.
