Who will win the Lightweight battle between two fighters going in different directions?
The Lightweight Division is one of the hottest in boxing right now. Humberto Soto and Urbano Antillon fought one of the best fights of 2010, and will have a rematch of that bout in May. Brandon Rios knocked out Miguel Acosta in a good fight to win the WBA title. Lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez is still plotting his next move. Next month we will see another fight of the year candidate when Robert Guerrero faces Michael Katsidis. Who will come out on top in what is sure to be a great fight?
Guerrero vs. Katsidis Preview
Robert Guerrero is 28-1 with 18 knockouts, a draw, and 2 no contests. One of the top young American fighters in the game, Guerrero has been knocking on the door for quite some time. Guerrero is a former IBF Featherweight and Junior Lightweight Champion. In his most recent fight, Guerrero won a decision over Vicente Escobedo last November. Before that, he beat former lightweight king Joel Casamayor at 140. Guerrero finds himself on the brink of a fight with current lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez.
—-> Read a recent exclusive interview with Robert Guerrero here
The blood and guts warrior Katsidis stands at 27-3 with 22 knockouts. One of the most entertaining fighters in the sport, Katsidis gives everything he has on fight night. In his most recent fight, Katsidis faced Juan Manuel Marquez in one of 2010’s best fights. Katsidis knocked Marquez down and had him in serious trouble, but he didn’t get the kill, allowing Marquez to get back into the fight and eventually knock him out.
The problem with Katsidis is that while he is entertaining, he is a step below the elite. He has lost his 3 biggest fights. In addition to Marquez, Katsidis lost to Joel Casamayor in his first shot at the Lightweight title in 2008, one of that year’s best fights. He also lost to Juan Diaz in a fight some people believe Katsidis won.
The big question for Katsidis is will he ever break through? You only get so many chances to get over the hump before it’s too late. You can ask Rocky Juarez. Also, Katsidis is 30 years old, and at some point, the wars will catch up to him. How much does Katsidis truly have left? Guerrero has the physical tools; every question about him has been about what’s inside. Does Guerrero truly believe he can be great? Does he have the heart? After his fight against Daud Yordan, Guerrero received a lot of criticism, but he has shut his critics up with his recent performances.
Guerrero vs. Katsidis Prediction
The strategy in this fight is going to be pretty simple, as you would expect when Michael Katsidis is involved. He is going to go in there and try to make it a war, and Guerrero will try to capitalize on openings while minimizing how much he gets hit by Katsidis’ violent attack.
Both guys will land a lot of punches and almost all of them will be hard. There probably will be a clash of heads and both men will look like they have been through a war. In the end, I have to take Guerrero. He’s on his way up and Katsidis is on his way down. Guerrero has the superior skills, and I look for him to stop Katsidis in the 11th round.
