'I am far from being a shot fighter' - Michael Katsidis
He may be good at fighting but Michael Katsidis, who defends his WBO interim lightweight crown against Kevin Mitchell on Saturday night, does admit to having a weakness.
“I’m not real good at talking about myself but I will give it a crack,” he answered, as I was keen to find out a bit more about him, and he didn’t too badly for someone who prefers to let his fists do the talking.
Having got into boxing at 11 after visiting a gym with a buddy, Katsidis soon learned to love what he calls “a very hard sport” and it is difficult to believe it was a real challenge for him at first giving his all-action style.
“I could not fight at all and I went down there every day and came home with two black eyes and mum said ‘are you going back down there? You are mad’.”
Michael wasn’t going to quit without a fight and would leave his mum with some reassuring words before returning. “I’m only going to get one black eye today.”
Katsidis is pleased he stuck it out, and unlike those who were dishing out the punishment, it was he who ultimately made it.
“The same blokes who were beating me up then and thought they were going to become fighters didn’t. It was a real sense of satisfaction for me now to be where I’m at. I’m the winner, I’m the guy who has been able to continue on with it. What I liked most was people appreciated what I was doing. People got inspired by what I do and that in turn drove me to succeed. I don’t really like beating the s*** out of people but when you are in there and faced with that that’s the choice you take,” admitted Katsidis.
Michael completed his schooling but his intuition led him to believe boxing was a big part of his future.
“I had a feeling I could make the Olympic team for 2000 when I was 15 and I promised myself and my family I was going to do it. I finished eighth, but I was never suited for the amateur style. I think we were a little bit behind on the points scoring system, other countries are more developed. The pro ranks suited me more.”
Katsidis’ greatest source of inspiration comes from his brother Stathi who he says is the leading jockey in Australia. “His career is similar to the way mine has gone. He has had his ups and downs and now he is just flying, he is on top of his game.”
After watching the first three Rocky movies, Michael told his Mum he would be champion of the world one day and for 15 fights he was called ‘Rocky Katsidis’ and came out to the Rocky theme. Rocky showed the never say die attitude and always gave hope to a defeated man, something Michael experienced when losing twice in 2008, but feels he still came out on top.
“I lost my way. I lost my building blocks. I wasn’t training like I should have been. I have been back now with three wins since the losses (to Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz). “I am far from being a shot fighter at 29. I knocked out Jesus Chavez after my second loss and I’ve come back and beat Vincente Escobedo who knocked out five world champions. If you ask Kevin (Mitchell) he’s saying I should be carrying a walking stick now but I’ve been producing some good work.”
Katsidis laughed when I asked him who he has been sparring with before answering. “No one’s business. I will give you any Thai name.”
Michael is looking forward to the pre-fight run in, is grateful he has been given ample time to prepare and believes he will be at his best. 20,000 passionate East End fans cheering on his opponent holds no qualms for him. “I think it is a great thing regardless of who they are cheering for.”
Katsidis will walk to the ring dressed in his usual gladiator headgear. Gladiators enjoy silencing the crowd, something the Australian intends on doing.
