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Cal. top date for Katsidis By DAVE WELLINGS

 

WBO interim lightweight champion, Michael ’Rocky’ Katsidis will defend his title against unbeaten Joan Guzman on May 26 at the Anaheim Convention Centre in California.

Guzman (27-0 with 17 KOs) is the only boxer from the Dominican Republic to have won world titles in two weight classes and he will be attempting to make it three when he steps up a weight to challenge the Australian. "He may be naturally bigger," Guzman told a recent media conference, "but I do not think he will be able to deal with my speed. The plan will be to create angles and nail him with punches he doesn’t see."

The 30 year old Guzman boxes out of Brooklyn, New York, where he is trained by Floyd Mayweather Snr. He won the WBO super-bantamweight title by stopping Fabio Daniel Oliva at Cardiff Castle, Wales in 2002 and then won the WBO super-featherweight crown with a unanimous points win over Jorge Barrios in New York in 2006.

Katsidis (22-0 with 20 KOs) is already in Santa Monica, Cal, with trainer Brendan Smith preparing for the biggest test of his career. The Toowoomba fighter said he has waited a long time for this opportunity.

"This is my third time in the United States but my first fight here. This is truly a dream come true for me. I give Guzman a ton of credit. He is truly a great champion with tremendous talent. He brings class and a ton of experience. He is the one willing to step up in weight. If he wants to come forward and fight, that would be great for me. Couple Guzman’s style with mine and this can’t be anything but a great fight for the fans. I’m looking forward to it." The show will be televised by HBO Boxing After Dark in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions.