Katsidis - Guerrero: Will v Skill

Michael Katsidis is the sort of boxer, like Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti, who could be described as a 'phonebox fighter'.

That's to say, if he had his way, he'd happily swap a spacious boxing ring for the confines of a telephone box, allowing him to trade blows with his opponent in an honourable last man standing contest.

With Duracell bunny-like energy levels Katsidis (27-3) always comes bounding over to his opponent and loves to pressurise and trap his foe against the ropes, ideally in the corner with no escape. This pattern tends to follow until either the opponent is good enough (as Joel Casamyor and Juan Manuel Marquez were) to score enough counter shots to hurt him and push him back - or more likely they succumb (like Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell) to the pressure.

This weekend he takes on a completely different sort of fighter, Robert Guerrero (28-1), for the Interim WBA and WBO Lightweight Championships.

Southpaw Guerrero is the kind of boxer that relishes using his wits to evade the sort of pressure fighter that is Katsidis. He uses speedy footwork to get in, score points and get out of trouble.

That said, the former IBF Featherweight and Super-Featherweight Champion has some pop in his fists with 18 knockouts, including five first round stoppages.

Where Katsidis is easy to find and hit, Guerrero, nicknamed The Ghost, is likely to be a more frustrating proposition for the man in the other corner.

With 14 straight victories coming in Guerrero would look to be a bit fresher than Katsidis, who was stopped in nine thrilling rounds with Juan Manuel Marquez last year and is said to have suffered an eye injury while preparing for this one which could have scuppered this bout.

Katsidis should have a significant  size advantages against a former featherweight. He always gives 100 per cent and has an exhaustive will power to destroy his opponent. However, I'm not sure it'll be enough against the superbly-skilled Guerrero.

I'm inclined to think of Katsidis' points loss to Juan Diaz immediately after he had been stopped by Casamyor back in 2008.

Diaz, who has often lacked finesse and is not the most fleet-footed, was able to outfox Katsidis. Many thought Katsidis had gone straight back into a world level fight too soon after a crushing but valiant defeat and he lost on points.

Here there are similarities.

This time Guerrero is a much better skilled boxer than Diaz and is likely to be exuding confidence as he seeks to gain better exposure after flying under the radar for too long. You can never write off Katsidis, who is sure to turn up in fantastic shape, but I would pick Guerrero to dazzle on his way to a points decision.


* Postscript: Guerrero went on to take a comprehensive decision, winning 117-108, 118-106 and 118-107.

In defeat Katsidis was a brave and try-hard as ever. He was considered a little unfortunate to lose two points for low blows - despite not being warned first.

Katsidis should now take some time off to re-charge his batteries.

There will also be a place for his popular, hard-working fighter but he might be better served to step back to allow him to come back a fresher fighter.

Guerrero, funnily enough, may have less options open to him than Katsidis right now!

He's a southpaw, he's skilled, he's dangerous. I'm not sure promoters of the big names in and around the lightweight division will relish the thought of Guerrero has an opponent.

However, he deserves credit for putting on a clinical, marvellous performance.

Erik Morales: Rolling back the years?

This weekend legendary fighter Erik Morales would love to be able to place his finger to his lips and silence the mammoth amount of doubters who believe he's out of depth in taking on the ferocious Marcos Maidana for the Interim WBA Light-Welterweight Middleweight Title.

To do that Morales would have to achieve the herculean task of prising the fight away from a rugged bruiser with 27 stoppages from his 29 wins.

Maidana, who so nearly had a wobbly Amir Khan stopped, rarely goes the distance. He likes his fights to end early and he pretty much normally gets his own way.

So where does that leave Erik Morales?

Well, the 34-year-old's story has been well-documented leading up to this contest. A fabulous former Super-Bantamweight, Featherweight and Super-Feathweight genuine elite world champion, the wheels came off when Morales lost four fights back-to-back between 2005 and 2007. He then retired for two and a half years before embarking on three low-key comeback fights.

It isn't necessary to go into the achievements of Morales, who could box beautifully but normally elected to stand toe-to-toe for his adoring fans. If you want contemporary proof of his legacy look at Manny Pacquiao - the last fighter he lost to was Morales in 2005.

That's the past and the common consensus is that spectactors will see the sad sight of Morales, too brave to get out early, being blown away and hurt by a naturally fresher, bigger, stronger, harder puncher.

In the build up to this fight Morales has exuded self-confidence - at least in front of the cameras and when a reporter's notebook or recorder is to hand. He's talked up his chances (not the first boxer to do this, of course) and wants to persuade others of his perceived chances.

Morales has talked of a game plan: “You have to know, I chose Maidana," he's told reporters.

Coming into this bout Morales is riding a three-win streak against Jose Alfaro at 147 pounds (a points win), Scotsman Willie Limond at 143 pounds (stoppage) and Franciso Lorenzo at 140 pounds (a points win).

Against a B-grade of opposition - decent, respectable, competant but not great - he's looked ok. That's about it - ok. He's used a nice jab, weighed in with some good body punching and drawn on his sound ring smarts to move in and out. Perhaps inevitably though, he's looked beatable and all three of his previous opposition certainly had their moments.

Stepping up a huge level to take on Maidana, will it be enough?

Let's face it, it would be a remarkable story if Morales pulled it off. He's been to the well and back a fair few times - he confounded critics when he beat Pacquiao in 2005 after looking a little jaded against Marco Antiono Barrera.

Also, in 2007 I felt he did better than expected when stepping up to lightweight and nearly dethroning David Diaz, who was the WBC champion.

I think the Diaz fight, in a strange sort of way, could be the yardstick to measure Morales' chances against Maidana. For while Diaz wasn't a big puncher like Maidana, he had the size advantages to keep on top - even if Morales, skillwise, was and is streets ahead of both come-forward scrappers.

We know Morales is brave and if he has the genuine belief going into this fight, and has trained properly, then the fight may not end as early as some are predicting.

What tactics will Morales employ?

If he elects to keep out of trouble and boxes smartly he might keep out of trouble for a bit. Unfortunately, Maidana is the type of boxer that catches up with you with his chugging engine. Look what happened to genuine light-welterweight Khan, who eventually found it hard to keep off the raw and rugged Argentinian.

Now, if Morales goes wading in and chooses to stand and trade...well, the outcome is likely to be predictable.

I think Maidana goes in and gets Morales out of there within six rounds. I'm sure Morales might have his moments but I don't think there will be a happy ending for this wonderful figher who has had his day.

Anthony Mundine: Time to step up

Anthony Mundine, who takes on Garth Wood this weekend in a rematch, is unquestionably a larger-than-life character in his native Australian territory.

The Man, as he's known, knows how to sell a fight and he has charisma. The love-him or hate-him personality undoubtedly helps shift tickets. Whether it's people paying to see him win or others shelling out cash in the hope he'll lose, the bank manager is certainly happy.

In the ring Mundine has shown talent after admirably transferring from the sport of rugby. He's twice picked up Super-Middlweight WBA titles and was victorious in a grudge fight that captured the nation against Danny Green in 2006. He has quick feet, delivers nice, crisp shots and is capable of delivering a solid dig when he decided to sit down on his shots.

Yet, for me and many others, it's not enough. I would argue that Mundine, despite his genuine potential, has failed to live up to and justify his own proclamations of greatness.

After beating Green in that wonderful performance Mundine went on to take on the rather shopworn Sam Soliman twice (despite knocking him out the first time around). He then relinquished his WBA title - avoiding a match-up with mandatory challenger Mikkel Kessler, who had already comprehesively beat him. Why? Was he tarnished by the loss?

As far as I'm concerned, and with the greatest respect, in the past five years only the name of Daniel Geale (21-0) is a worthy opponent for a man who wants to be seen as a world level fighter. It was with credit, and a little controversy, that Mundine got a split decision win against the raw but talented unbeaten fighter in 2009.

Since then not much has happened. At the age of 35 it could well be too late for Mundine.

Since 2006 Mundine has languished and stagnated. Where he could have moved out of his comfort zone and sought challenges to test his character and boxing skill he has instead taken on the easier, low-risk contests.

Crazy Kim? Carlos Adan Jerez? Ryan Waters? Sorry, not good enough.

Perhaps the ticket sales in front of a roaring home crowd is enough for Mundine? Whatever the reason, I feel Australian boxing fans have been short changed. Mundine, with his personality, could have been a useful addition to the Super Six tournament that is making stars of the likes of Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

On Friday (April 8) Mundine, who has fought 44 times, will have a rematch with 12-fight novice Garth Wood - who sparked Mundine out in five rounds last December in what was a shock.

Credit to Mundine for going back in there to try and right a wrong (Mundine had boxed to an easy lead before he was caught) but how did it come to this in the first place?

Mundine has claimed last year he was looking at taking on the WBA Light-Middleweight Champion Miguel Cotto last year. He put a lack of focus down to the defeat. Yet, Mundine has frequently talked about jumping up and down weights and winning world titles.

Unfortunately, you have to be willing to take on the best to do that.

If he takes care of business this time around against Wood then what happens next? Talk is cheap - actions not words are needed.

Mundine, the man with the mouth - and talent - owes it to the Australian boxing scene to step up to the plate.

He might consider himself a "two weight champion" (the Geale fight was for the lightly-regarded IBO Middleweight belt) but he's not earned the right to be considered a genuine champion. You have to take proper challenges and proper risks to achieve that status.

It's time to move out of the comfort zone. Put up - or shut up.