Former interim Lightweight titlist Michael Katsidis “The Great” (28-5, 23 KOs) and Albert “Tornado” Mensah (19-3-1, 7 KOs) will meet in the 10-round Junior Welterweight main event on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra on April 13. Friday’s show will air at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3 from Las Vegas. The card is presented by Millennium Events.
Main Event:
Katsidis of Calif., enters Friday’s fight having fought current and former titlists Joel Casamayor, Juan Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero, and Ricky Burns. Three of Katsidis’ last five wins were against former Lightweight titlist Jesus Chavez, and contenders Kevin Mitchell and Vicente Escobedo.
“I’m going to prepare with everything I know,” Katsidis said of Friday’s fight. “I’m preparing myself in the best way mentally and physically for this fight.”
Chicago’s Mensah, is coming off a 12-round decision win over Andres Gorges. Mensah’s trainer Joseph Awinongya said, “Albert’s style is similar to Katsidis,’ but Katsidis can’t match him for strength and power. Albert’s style – every punch he throws, it means something. He doesn’t waste his punches.”
Here’s what Joe Tessitore had to say on the fight: “Michael Katsidis is the type of fighter that I often talk about when discussing what boxing needs to serve its fans. Although he has taken losses, mostly against high level competition, he always delivers and I cannot wait to see what he delivers this Friday night against a tough opponent who has a lot to prove.”
Co-Feature:
Friday’s co-feature will pit California Welterweights Artemio “The King” Reyes (15-1, 12 KOs), against Alan “El Pugas” Sanchez (9-2-1, 3 KOs). Reyes is coming off a first-round knockout win over Victor Correa, while Sanchez is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over Albert Herrera.
On ESPN2 HD and ESPN3, Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino describing the action. On ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights), Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio.
ESPN Deportes will feature a studio interview with The Ring Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez. Martinez will discuss his career and his hopes to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this year to reclaim Chavez Jr.’s championship belt.
