The recent news that MMA superstar Conor McGregor got himself a license to box in the state of California really did start a scrum of activity amongst active and even inactive boxers, all of whom want a piece of McGregor in his assumed boxing debut/tune-up ahead of his hoped for (but very unlikely) mega-match with Floyd Mayweather.
The latest boxer to call McGregor out is Australian lightweight warrior Michael Katsidis. Katsidis, as he explained to The Gold Coast Bulletin, is ready and willing to finish off his exciting ring career with a fight against McGregor. “The Great,” as Katsidis, the former WBO 135-pound champ is known, predicts a “Fight of The Year” bout if McGregor takes him up on his offer to face him.
“Without any disrespect to a man who’s physical achievements are of a world champion – Conor, you compete in MMA,” Katsidis said. “Octagon is one thing, boxing ring is another. If McGregor wants to come into my sport, let’s see how he does coming up against “The Great.” “The Great versus “The Notorious,” that’s fight of the year right there. Waiting for your call back, McGregor, let’s do it.”
Katsidis’ trainer Brendon Smith is onboard, saying he will “explore” the possibilities of making this fight. Katsidis, though, has not fought since March of 2015, when he decisioned a journeyman. Before that, in 2014, Katsidis was brutally KO’d inside a couple of rounds by Tommy Coyle in Hull, England. How much Katsidis, 31-7(24) has left today we can only guess.
Still, the 36-year-old says he will not be able to live with himself if he does not take this fight and give it all he has.
“I’ve worked with so many people who still think I’ve got the ability,” Katsidis said. “If I don’t do it, I’m going to be old and on my deathbed one day saying, ‘ I could have, should have, would have, but didn’t.’”
If this fight does actually take place, it will not be pretty, let’s put it that way.