Katsidis wants to fight Mundine

[smelodies]

Katsidis wants to fight Mundine – News
January 12th, 2010

By Jim Dower: For what it’s worth, World Boxing Organization interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO’s) wants a shot against former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine (38-3, 23 KO’s). This must be an Australian thing, because although the 29-year-old Katsidis is a tough fighter and powerful for a lightweight, he would seem to be way too small to beat a fighter the size of Mundine.

There are four divisions that separate Katsidis from Mundine, who now fights as a middleweight. And beyond that, the 5’11” Mundine would have a four inch height and a four inch reach advantage to go along with his 25 pound weight advantage. That would be asking a bit too much of Katsidis to pump up to a high enough weight to fight Mundine. And it would be hard to imagine Mundine moving down far enough in weight to give Katsidis enough of a handicap to make it interesting.

Katsidis has reportedly sparred with Mundine in the past, and likely has a good idea of how he would match up with him if they were to fight. However, sparring and fighting are two different things. Mundine has a powerful right hand and he’d be trouble for the smallish Katsidis if they were to step in the ring and fight for real. Katsidis takes a lot of punishment in his fights, and was stopped by Joel Casamayor in 2008, and outpointed by Juan Diaz in 12 round decision loss in September 2008.

Katsidis has changed his style somewhat since the Diaz loss, focusing a little bit more on his defense, but he’s still very hittable in his fights. And Katsidis’ tendency to cut easily would be a problem against a big puncher like Mundine. It would be only a matter of time before Mundine had Katsidis’ face looking like a bloody mess from his big shots. At the same time, Mundine isn’t easy to hit. He retreats when his opponents come after him, and is quite good at fighting while going backwards. This fight could turn out very bad for Katsidis.

Mundine has never lost to an Australian before during his career 10-year pro career. Yesterday, Mundine, 34, defeated fellow Australian Robert Medley by a 12 round decision in Sydney. Some boxing fans are wondering why Mundine is wasting time fighting overmatched Australians when he should be focusing on facing top world class opponents. It’s been four years since Mundine fought his last 1st tier opponent Danny Green. Since beating Green by a 12 round decision, Mundine has focusing on softer opponents for the most part.

[smelodies]

Love to see it, katsidis is a great class fighters and could give mundine a hell of a fight, mundine is fast but he ain't the biggest puncher in the world, his power is decent according to sparring partners but it ain't in the class of greens and guys like that accordiing to guys who have sparred them and fought them both, so if he puts on the extra pounds he might be able to take mundines power.

[ra2006]

Very interesting, but why would Katsidis step down from world class level to face a local fighter?

[smelodies]

Very interesting, but why would Katsidis step down from world class level to face a local fighter?

Might be cause he is one of the best and no one here has been able to beat him!!!!

Or it might be because$$$$$

[Hounddawg]

Smells like Eric T/Smedley again

[Hounddawg]

Shitt thread, never happen

[adamheight]

hows it a sh1t thread?

i think its very interesting

[Liver Crusher]

yeah shit thread.

[toppity]

yeah poop thread.

well that settles it then.

[Adamj1987]

shouldnt happen

[adamheight]

shouldnt happen

Mate if u lived down here and paid 50bucks ppv to watch mundine continually fight stiffs there's no way you would say that

[adamheight]

I jut don't see what weight this could happen at tho. Mundine could kill himself to get to 154 but he physically can't get lower. Dunno how far north katsidis could go and still be in shape.

[smelodies]

He wants to fight him at JM i read

Medley and Green didn't give it their all againts mundine, they fought like they were in a sparring session, katsidis wouldn't want to ruin his rep so good chance he will give it all if they fight, geale and soliman gave it their all but they lack power, taylor and hamdan were good in their day but are past it now, katsidis or bika are the aussies i would like to see mundine fight, mosley sparred katsidis, he said he is strong, if he says it he must be, he has fought and sparred the best, at JM katsidis might be too aggressive and strong for him like kessler was, pfp he probably hits as hard as kessler.

[Brute]

Sounds like somebody is having a joke.

[buster007]

if that's the risk of mundine making 154, then go for it mandy.

if it was held at 154, that doesn't mean katsidis would need to be that weight too. he'd more likely be 5-10 pounds lighter.

but i don't think it would hurt kats too much, 'cause he would be much healthier in the ring then mandy. and the pressure of kats would affect mandy quite alot.

but i'd doubt mandy would fight anybody at 154, it is just a little out of reach for him by the look of it.

[Marlin]

Katsidis should push for the weigh in on the morning of the fight

[Hounddawg]

hows it a sh1t thread?

i think its very interesting

Cause i said so Thats all we need another circus.

Katsidis should concentrate on trying to conquer the light and Lightwelter division, Mundine should continue his never ending search to fight a top 5 division fighter.

Don't want to shell out 50 bucks....dont.

[Asterix]

Mundine a "big puncher"? His last KO victory was in 2007!

['Frilla]

Mundine a "big puncher"? His last KO victory was in 2007!

Hes more speed than anything else,

i would say Katsidis is probably around the same height as Lenny Zappa,
and ive seen footage of Mundine sparring Zappa, Mundine looks too big,
He takes height, and reach easy,
But why would Katsidis want to fight Mundine??
Shitt gets crazier every year

[Soundkamp]

Katsidis is doing this so more people get to know him in Australia because he is not a house hold name, when people see who is calling out Mundine and see Katsidis record and his past they are going to go, why arent we watching this bloke fight....

Plus he could have the JMM fight, as Hatton wont return til closer to the end of the year.

[Grant]

Very interesting, but why would Katsidis step down from world class level to face a local fighter?

Might be cause he is one of the best and no one here has been able to beat him!!!!

Or it might be because$$$$$

Yes 'the man' IS one of our best local fighters.
I can live with Mundine, I might even pay to see one of his fights live if he ever gets down to Melbourne again, But Geeze if only he would give up sprouting about being the best or even equal to some of the best world class fighters. Even his fans must want to know why he ran from Kessler, or why he isn't in the 'super six' tournament.
Terrific domestic fighter, yet to prove himself on the world stage..........And thats the fact Jack!

[keyboard warrior]

Katsidis is doing this so more people get to know him in Australia because he is not a house hold name, when people see who is calling out Mundine and see Katsidis record and his past they are going to go, why arent we watching this bloke fight....

Plus he could have the JMM fight, as Hatton wont return til closer to the end of the year.

Agreed. I don't think Kat-Mundine is realistic given the disparate weights. I think Katsidis' management has just released a statement on the back of a Mundine fight to try and promote his name a bit.

Katsidis-Marquez is looking more and more realistic by the day, eh?