By Gerardo Granados: Seven years ago Marquez was the IBF – WBA Super World featherweight champion, actually he is the WBO – WBA Super World lightweight and former WBC super featherweight champion. Now that speaks for it self, he is a proven fighter, yet he is old not in his prime but still a great and dangerous opponent. Seven years ago Katsidis had only eight fights and currently is the interim WBO lightweight champion.

Don’t get me wrong, I respect Michael Katsidis but I honestly believe he doesn’t have the tools to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez. Besides if Juan Manuel looks good in this fight he will be considered as a possible rival for the current pound for pound King Congressman Pacquiao. Marquez is fighting for more than just keeping his WBO and WBA Super World lightweight titles, if he wins in a great fashion he will be considered to fight Manny, if he looses than he would be degraded to a past his prime old former champion. If Marquez wins by decision then he would probably receive a last big payday, probably it wouldn’t be against Pacman, but Amir Khan would be very interested in fighting him, but only if he can defeat Katsidis; Khan on the other hand has the tools to beat Marquez but let’s wait until it happen.

“The great” Michael Katsidis / 5´7” height – 66” reach, 30 years old / T29-W27 (22)-L2 (1)-D0. Has good speed and power but not considered to have great speed nor power as Pacman has; he is quite flat footed need to improve a lot his footwork against Marquez if he wants to finish the fight. Lacks of movement, doesn’t feint and that makes him quite predictable, his defense is average could try to slip the punches or try to bob and weave more often or Marquez could counter him quite easily. The quality of adversaries is good but can’t be matched to the ones that Marquez has faced. He is over all skills average; good chin great stamina, brave and determined, needs to be very focus during the fight so he won’t be caught with fast combinations. Katsidis can’t allow Marquez to build an early lead be cause he would probably loose by decision.

Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez / 5´7” height – 67” reach, 37 years old / T57-W51 (37)-L5-D1. No reach (significant) or height advantage for any of both. Marquez has deal with way better skilled, faster and powerful fighters than Katsidis. He is a great counter puncher, very smart and tactically you can’t teach him anything new; great chin although he has been knock down several times he recovers fast. Has a good defense but better block Katsidis left uppers to the head; has good footwork, mobility, speed and power, is old but has enough left in the tank to fight one or two big fights. Marquez will move all night, countering and pressuring Katsidis on parts of the round, will take advantage of his rival stationary attack hurting him with body shots, might secure the victory if he is able to cut Katsidis eyebrows in the early rounds.

I´ll pick Marquez to win by UD or late stoppage due to cuts, but whatever the out come of this fight is, one thing is for certain, this one will be an exiting fight with both fighters trading punches all night long.