By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com was advised by Sampson Lewkowicz, adviser/agent for interim-champion Michael Katsidis, that WBO president Paco Valcarcel will force the issue for a fight with full champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Contrary to reports in Mexico, Paco did not provide Marquez with an additional extension to make the mandatory defense against Katsidis.

Katsidis' team appear confident that Marquez will agree to the fight. Marquez is tentative for a May ring return. Rumors continue that Marquez is a frontrunner to fight Ricky Hatton. Numerous sources tell BoxingScene that Hatton is grossly out of shape and there are serious doubts, even within Hatton's camp, that he can be physically ready to fight by May.

"I spoke with Paco and Marquez was not given another exception. They already gave him one exception to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. He will not get a second exception. If he doesn't make a decision soon, he will be stripped of the title," Lewkowicz told BoxingScene.com