By Jim Dower: Australian Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KO’s) has a very real chance at beating WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KO’s) this Saturday night at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Katsidis, 30, is getting this fight at the right time in Marquez’s long 17-year pro career and he could be ripe to be beaten by the powerful Katsidis. Marquez has lost two out of his last five fights, and looked less than impressive in his rematch fight with Juan Diaz last July.
This is a fight that Diaz could have won had he been more aggressive and confident early on in the bout when he basically gave away the fight by not throwing enough punches. Not throwing enough punches isn’t something that Katsidis has to worry about in this one, because he’s a human punching and he never stops throwing power shots for instant. Katsidis has another problem that he has to worry about, and that’s his weak skin around his eyes.
Katsidis has a nasty problem with getting severe cuts early in his fights and having to battle with both eyes badly cut up. He didn’t have to worry about this problem in his recent 3rd round TKO win over Kevin Mitchell in May, but this has been Katsidis’ problems in past fights. And if he wants to beat Marquez, he can’t afford to have his face cut up and bleeding all over the place if he wants to win this. Katsidis has been waiting ages to get a fight with Marquez, and it would be a pity for him if his chance is ruined by his weak skin.
Depending on how Katsidis’ face holds up, it could have a bearing on the fight because it may limit how aggressive he can be in the fight once he starts getting cut up. Since it’s unlikely that Katsidis will be able to knock Marquez early on, if at all, he’s going to have to be careful in his attacks to keep from getting hit too much. Ideally, Katsidis needs to approach the fight the same way that Manny Pacquiao has done in his past fights with Marquez by using an in and out attacking pattern to limit how much Marquez can make contact with him. Katsidis has explosive power and good hand speed. If he can jump in and out, landing short flurries each time, he could win the fight that way and avoid getting cut up. This might be the best way to beat Marquez without having his face torn up.
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