By Eric Thomas: Lightweight Michael Katsidis (28-6, 23 KO’s) has reportedly suffered a knee injury and won’t able to face #5 WBA, #6 IBF, #9 WBC unbeaten lightweight contender Darley Perez (25-0, 19 KO’s) in their previously scheduled 10 round bout on August 10th at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California.

The fight was supposed to have been aired on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights. The injury may have saved the 31-year-old Katsidis from suffering yet another loss, as he’s been beaten in four out of his last five bouts and is no longer even ranked in the top 15. It’s hard to imagine the 31-year-old Katsidis not even being ranked in the top 15, because he still looks better the majority of the contenders in that division.

However, Katsidis is now paying the price for his fights against touch competition in losses to Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Ricky Burns and Albert Mensah. The defeat to Mensah could have been avoided had Katsidis not made the mistake of moving up in weight to the 140 pound division, which he was clearly much too small for.

Katsidis was too small in his fight against Burns, the WBO lightweight champion. That should have told Katsidis that he wouldn’t do well in moving up to 140. He’s now back at 135, but will have to heal his knee before getting back in the ring. Katsidis needs to be matched against opponents that are better for his style of fighting. Putting him in with boxers like Burns, Mensah and Guerrero was a bad decision. The Marquez fight was understandable because it was a good payday for Katsidis, but the other match-ups were all wrong for him.