By Sean McDaniel: Lightweight contender Michael Katsidis (27-4, 22 KO’s) will be trying for a change of luck next month against journeyman Michael Lozada (38-8-1, 30 KO’s) in a 10 round bout at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

Katsidis, 30, has lost his last two fights to Juan Manuel Marquez and Robert Guerrero and not looked very good in either bouts. Katsidis, ranked #9 in the World Boxing Organization, could have taken on a top level opponent for his next fight and made good money in the United States but instead opted to take a much easier fight.

Lozada has has lost two out of his last four fights to Paulie Malignaggi and Pier Olivier Cote, both by knockout. This is the type of guy that Katsidis should be able to reverse his bit of bad luck by getting an early knockout against. If a weak puncher like Malignaggi was able to get Lozada out in the 6th round then Katsidis should be able to take him out in less than half that time.

Katsidis would do well to work his defense to try and become a little more elusive because he’s too easy to hit and he won’t last long if he keeps taking beatings like he did in the Marquez and Guerrero fights. Before those bouts, things were looking up for Katsidis, as he destroyed Kevin Mitchell in a 3rd round KO in May 2010. However, when Katsidis stepped it up against Marquez in his next fight, he found out quickly how much of a difference there was beaten Mitchell and Marquez when Katsidis was stopped in the 9th round.

The good news for Katsids is that WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto is moving up in weight to the light welterweight division and Marquez probably won’t be around too much longer. That will free up a couple of belts that Katsidis can possibly fight for if he’s not destroyed by Lozada or another fighter before then.