By Chris LaBate

Former champion Michael Katsidis is trying to stage his next fight in Australia in mid to late August. The boxer has not fought in the country in five years. Katsidis' team was trying to secure IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez as the opponent. Vasquez's last win was over another Australian boxer, Lenny Zappavigna, which took place on the Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Mayorga undercard in March. Vazquez and his team are not interested in facing Katsidis, telling the Aussie's team they don't have the cash to make it possible.

"The response was an expected one from the team," Katsidis' trainer and manager Brendon Smith said to AAP. "'We don't believe Australia can afford our guy' was the basis of their response. Maybe they should check the Aussie dollar versus the US, before ruling the fight out on the basis of money. We know and they know Michael is a dangerous fight, and we believe that is closer to the reason they won't come down under."