By Sean McDaniel: Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO’s), the World Boxing Organization lightweight champion, announced recently that he wants a rematch with Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KO’s) on March 27th. Katsidis, 29, lost a 2 round split decision to Diaz in September 2008 in a fight that Katsidis fought very passively in. Things have changed since then, most notably with Diaz losing two out of his last three fights while Katsidis has won his last three fights.

In a press release, Katsidis says “I propose to come to Houston on March 27 and put everything I have gained on the line. Juan, this is your opportunity and I ask for a public response within the next 24 hours to show your willingness to accept this challenge.”

Katsidis doesn’t say why he waited until now to seek out a rematch with Diaz. It seems to me that if Katsidis wanted a rematch, the time to go for one was after he had been beaten by Diaz rather than waiting until Diaz has experienced difficulties with his career. Diaz, 26, was stopped in the 9th round by Juan Manuel Marquez in February 2009.

Following that loss, Diaz moved up in weight to the light welterweight division and won a questionable 12 round decision over former International Boxing Federation light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in August 2009. Few boxing fans felt that Diaz won that fight.

Diaz then fought Malignaggi in a rematch four months later and lost a 12 round unanimous decision this time around in December. At 5’6”, Diaz appears way too small to fight at light welterweight, and he needs to move back down in weight to the lightweight division if he wants to remain successful with his boxing career.

For his part, Katsidis has beaten Angel Hugo Ramirez, Jesus Chavez and Vincente Escobedo in his last three fights. The win over Escobedo, a fighter with a lot of potential, was very impressive. Katsidis wore Escobedo down with power shots and was able to defeat him by a 12 round split decision.

Katsidis has a fight against super featherweight Roberto Guerrero tentatively scheduled for March 27th, but it appears that Katsidis would much prefer to take on Diaz, if possible. It would be a good fight for Diaz if he wants to pick up the interim WBO lightweight title. Diaz had little problems with Katsidis last time around, and if he’s still the same fighter, he will likely dominate Katsidis as easily as he did the first time.