This content is protected MICHAEL Katsidis is used to facing brutal blows in the boxing ring, but the phone call he received last month at a training camp in the Thai jungle floored him. His brother, 31-year-old champion Australian jockey Stathi Katsidis, was dead. Katsidis hit the lowest point of his life thousands of kilometres away from Queensland where his family was grieving the loss. "In camp, I've had to face a lot of demons," Katsidis said inside Las Vegas' MGM Grand Casino yesterday. The 30-year-old from Toowoomba contemplated cancelling the biggest bout of his career, this weekend's world-title fight against Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. But just hours after hearing news of Stathi's sudden death, he sensed his brother and "closest friend and inspiration in life" was still with him. Stathi was telling him to fight on. Instead of packing up and leaving the primitive Thai fight camp in the jungle and flying back to Brisbane to be with his family, Katsidis headed to one of the sparse outdoor rings with long-time trainer Brendon Smith and had the best training session of his career. "He was very close to me and it was tough," said Katsidis, who boasts a 27-2 professional record. "But nothing in this sport is ever easy." Katsidis had a smile on his face as he strolled into the foyer of the MGM yesterday for his pre-fight press conference with Marquez, the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation lightweight champion. The largely Latino crowd of several hundred, revved up by a mariachi band, booed the Queenslander, but he didn't seem to mind. It's just another stepping stone to taking Marquez's WBA and WBO belts on Sunday (AEDT). "I've had a lot of fights and been through a lot of training camps and it all climaxes with this fight," Katsidis said. "This is the fight that will make me reach my dream. "It is something I can be remembered for." Marquez, 37, with a 51-win, five-loss, one-draw professional record, is being pencilled in for a rematch with the biggest payday in boxing, Manny Pacquiao. Marquez lost a controversial split points decision to the Filipino in 2008, but he maintained yesterday that Katsidis was his only focus. Instead of using the press conference to verbally attack the Australian, Marquez praised Katsidis for his courage in fighting despite Stathi's death. Marquez expects Katsidis to be energised by Stathi's sudden passing. "He's very motivated for this fight," Marquez said, glancing over to Katsidis.
I will stick with my prediction of a early round stoppage win to Mick, reading articles like this he is determined and focused and i cant see him losing!
Only amongst Real fight fans, The general media isn't really talking about it sadly, Mainly because his last name isn't Green or Mundine
I noticed there is a full page story on Mick in today's herald sun:good When Danny beat Flores last week there was 2 lines in the "in brief" section lol. Was also good to see Kat interview on sports tonight on ch 10 and his interview on SEN radio the other day was great i really enjoyed it. If he keeps making himself avaliable to do interviews he will quickly start to make a name for himself here especially if he wins:deal GO MICK!!
Interesting note about this wkend. All amounts in US$ Purses for the fighters on Saturday's HBO card: Marquez $1.4 mill, Katsidis $530K, Berto $910K, Hernandez $75K, Caballero $200K, Litzau $50K Al Heymon once again doing his thing for Berto.
man i ****ing hope Mick can do it.you could make a movie of his life if he wins.serving time in jail,trouble getting visas to fight in the U.S because of it.travelling all over the world fighting in hostile territory.the Earl fight,2 losses in quick succession the one against Casa a FOTY with multiple KD's and Casa being knocked out of the ring.the comeback towin the WBO interim belt against Escobedo going back to England to defeat the undefeated highly touted Mitchell. getting a fight against JMM the Mexican LW legend the tragic passing of his brother during his preparation for the biggest fight of his career and him defeating JMM collecting the belts dedicating the win to Stathi.wouldnt that be great.
not as much as it should be.LJD says he is getting some media exposure.hopefully people will embrace him more when he wins.
Pretty decent pay day for Mick, i'd say that's he's biggest. A win could really open the door for a mega fight or possible rematch with a purse over a $1m
I agree Beaver. Glad to see Katsidis earn a purse just over half a million for all the hard yards he has done over the recent years. Should Katsidis prevail you would expect a million US$ purse against Marquez or another big name opponent in 2011.:good
cmon mick...im in hospital but am gnna go c it if it kills me...any1 going 2 the albany ck tavern in brisso?..stathi will b sitiing right on his shoulder...what a brave bloke...goes 2 every1's backyards and puts the guys (u know who 2 shame)...throwback if i ever saw one...c'mon aussie...
