De la Hoya hails Marquez-Katsidis fight (original) (raw)

De la Hoya hails Marquez-Katsidis fight

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• Sport

This was published 14 years ago

By Adrian Warren

September 23, 2010 — 6.38pm

Legendary boxer Oscar de la Hoya says Australian Michael Katsidis' upcoming world title bout with Mexican superstar Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas has "fight of the year" potential.

Marquez, universally regarded as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters, will defend his WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine lightweight title belts against WBO interim lightweight champion Katsidis at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 27.

The clash has been dubbed "warriors" by de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, who are staging the fight along with Marquez Boxing Promotions.

"Given the styles of both fighters, Marquez versus Katsidis has fight of the year written all over it," de la Hoya said.

"Marquez looked better than ever against Juan Diaz in his last fight and Katsidis is in top form coming off a big knockout win over Kevin Mitchell."

Three-division world champion Marquez, 37 (51-5-1, 37 KOs), said styles made fights and that would lead to a great spectacle.

"Michael Katsidis is a very aggressive fighter and that's the style I like to fight against the most," Marquez said.

A respectful Katsidis acknowledged Marquez was one of the world's finest pound-for-pound fighters and a certain future Hall of Fame inductee.

"I'm ready for the challenge though and I don't think he will be able to hold me off for 12 rounds, I'm coming for those belts," Katsidis said.

The 30-year-old Queenslander has already spent a couple of weeks at his regular training base in Thailand, where he has successfully prepared for his last four fights.

Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) has already tasted success at the MGM Grand.

In his second last bout, he earned a 12-round split decision points win over Vicente Escobedo.

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