THE ROCKY ROAD LEADS TO LONDON By DAVE WELLINGS

 

 

The boxing career of Michael Katsidis has provided more twists than a pretzel. Bouts have been cancelled, visas have been denied and world title fights have been dangled before him only to be snatched away when WBO lightweight champ Acelino Freitas decided to ‘unretire’ himself.

The 26 years old Rocky can exorcise some of the frustration this Sunday morning February 18 (Australian EST) when he meets Englishman Graham Earl at Wembley Arena, London for the WBO interim title.

They were to have met for the championship vacated by Freitas last year and to taie that, the Katsidis camp cancelled a proposed match in Toowoomba with world-rated Mexican, Osvaldo Lara. When Freitas changed his mind about retiring, the Lara fight was re-scheduled to take place in Rochester, NY.

Rocky and trainer Brendan Smith flew to the United States and set up training camp in the mountains -- only to be told that the Lara fight was off again and the WBO would recognise a match with Graham Earl as an “interim” title fight, pending a final decision by Freitas.

For the past few weeks Katsidis has trained at the famous Gleason’s gym in New York City and his sparring sessions impressed seasoned professionals.

Earl (25-1-0, 12 by ko) has moved to Number1 in the WBO rankings on the strength of his recent points win over Angel Hugo Ramirez for the meaningless WBU crown. The 28 year old Luton fighter will have home soil advantage over Katsidis, who hasn’t stepped into the ring since June 2006.

Rocky, however has a spotless record (21-0-0, 19 by KO). The Australian puncher is five centimetres taller with an impressive physique. If desire and positive attitude mean anything, Rocky will be returning to Toowoomba with a title of some sort.

The rocky road has not yet reached its ultimate destination, let’s say, an interim destination.