Juan Diaz outfights Katsidis
Juan Diaz won a 12 round split decision over Michael Katsidis for the vacant IBO title last weekend. Katsidis fought a good fight but the difference between the two fighters was that Diaz is a lot more technically sound and doesn’t rely solely on his power. However despite his 2nd consecutive loss, Katsidis was impressive particularily in his attitude after the fight. When asked if he thinks he should take a softer touch in his next fight, he responded with something to the tune of (I can’t find the exact quote ’its a 17 hour flight to the USA from Australia so I don’t want to come all this way for a soft touch.’
On the undercard Rocky Juarez stopped Jorge Barrios in round 11 of a junior featherweight contest. I haven’t seen this fight because we didn’t get it on the coverage down here.
Khan KTFO, Cook wins title
Amir Khan got exactly what he deserved for thinking that his fights are pay per view material and got KTFO (KTFO is ‘knocked the fuck out’for any NOOBs out there) in the first minute of his fight by unknown Argentinian and 9-1 underdog Breidis Prescott. I only wish that this would happen to certain Australian fighters who think their mismatches are worthy of $50 PPV prices. Now I did like Khan from the Olympics and I’d hoped he did well as a pro, but you’ve got to earn PPV slots, not just put yourself on one because you think you’re that good. Khan needs to go back to fighting on undercards against guys who will make him work and make him learn and then earn his spot. On the undercard Nicky Cook won a 12 round decision over Alex Arthur to take his WBO 130lb title.
Week of lightweights sort of ruined
Joan Guzman has failed to make weight for his fight with Nate Campbell. The fight is still on, but it won’t be for any titles and it has the potential to throw a massive spanner in the works of the best division in boxing if Guzman manages to win. With Marquez fighting Casamayor for his linear title this weekend as well, it had the potential to set-up a major fight between the winners of those two fights. Now we have to hope Campbell wins his fight for anyone to be that interested in seeing the Casamayor-Marquez winner take him on. I think Guzman will still be too classy and frustrate the very inconsistant Campbell en route to winning a decision. In the other fight I’m picking Marquez to outwork Casamayor, but its a very tight fight to call.
Other fights this weekend
And theres a lot of them. First, Sergio Mora rematches with Vernon Forrest for the WBC 154lb title. I think Forrest will come out with something to prove in this fight and he needs to because a loss will probably be the end of the line for him. I’m picking Forrest to win inside the distance in this fight. Forrest KO10.
Andreas Kotelnik also makes his first defence of his WBA 140lb title, taking on Norio Kimura. With a name like Kimura I’m surprised he didn’t get into Judo instead of boxing. I’ve not heard of Kimura or know anything about him, so I assume Kotelnik beats him, probably over the 12 rounds.
Even though theres like 10 ‘world titles’ up for grabs this weekend, I’m only going to comment on the Timothy Bradley fight as well. He takes on dangerous but limited lightweight Edner Cherry in the first defence of his WBC world junior welterweight title. Despite only a 50% KO ratio, Cherry can punch. He could take the title if Bradley makes a mistake. I think Bradley will handle him pretty easily as he is a class above him. Bradley via 12 round unanimous decision.
