05.09.07 – By Francisco Chantango: Recently, WBO lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis (23-0, 20 KOs) has expressed interest in fighting the superstar WBC International super featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs). However, I don’t see the point in such a such a fight mainly because I don’t feel that the 26-year old Australian Katsidis is in the same league as Pacquiao, and I think it would make for a bad fight, one where Katsidis could very well be hurt by the hard-punching Pacquiao. As of recent, Katsidis barely was able to beat another fighter from the Philippines lightweight Czar Amonsot (18-3-1, 10 KOs), who quickly turned Katsidis’ left eye into a bloody mess resembling fine quality hamburger.
He also opened up a nasty cut under Katsidis’ right eye, and both injuries are going to require that Katsidis take the rest of the year of to heal properly. As you can see, if Katsidis is being brought to the brink of defeat by someone like Amonsot, and taking a horrendous beating in the process, what does he think would happen if he faces Pacquiao, who without a doubt punches even harder and faster than the Philippine warrior Amonsot does? Most of the damage that was done to Katsidis’ eye was done early on, when Amonsot was just getting warmed up. Do you honestly think that Katsidis’ paper fine skin could hold up under the strain of being pounded on by Pacquiao for 12 continuous rounds without ripping apart and bleeding all over the place?
Like I said, I don’t think it would be a good fight for Katsidis, which is why I’ve decided to write about this. Pacquiao, 28, wouldn’t even need to knock him out, although I think he’s quite capable of doing so, because all he’d have to do is land hard shots for a few rounds until Katsidis starts bleeding all over the place. The referee will do his job and step in and halt the bout to prevent Katsidis from risking permanent damage to his face. It’s even more likely that Katsidis will be cut even earlier than in his bout with Amonsot due to the large amount of scar tissue that has formed around his eyes from the damage that Amonsot did to his face. As most of you probably already know, scar tissue tears very easily and doesn’t require much for it to tear.
If by chance the fight can be made, Katsidis would no doubt have to agree to drop five pounds and move down to 130 to meet Pacquiao at that weight, because there’s no way that Pacquiao will move up in weight. Why should he? He’s the star, and Katsidis is the one trying to make a name for himself. Besides, Pacquiao is already pushing it because he started his career at 106. Katsidis would probably have problems losing the weight and come into the fight with Pacquiao in a weakened condition and making the fight easier than it would be otherwise. It would be asking too much for either to have to lose or gain weight to make the fight, but if any of them has to do it, Katsidis should be the one.
As for the outcome, I think Katsidis would quickly get ripped to shreds by Pacquiao’s slashing attacks. Each one of Pacquiao’s fists would be like knives, both slashing and pulverizing the soft tissue on Katsidis’ face and soon after turning him into a bloody mess. The fight would probably be over by the 4th round with the referee moving into save Katsidis from having any more harm inflicted on him by Pacquiao. The fans would be let down, probably feeling disappointed by the stoppage.