By Mark Vester
Brendon Smith, trainer and manager of Michael Katsidis, says the proposed bout between his fighter and WBO/WBA/WBC lightweight champ Juan Diaz is slated to headline an HBO televised card on January 26. Oscar De La Hoya, on behalf of his company Golden Boy Promotions, placed the winning purse bid of $1.5 million to gain the promotional rights to the fight. Diaz will receive 80% of the purse split.
Pursuant to the order of the WBO, Golden Boy has until February 27 to hold the fight, but Smith told the Daily Telegraph that Jan. 26 will be the likely date, with a Houston venue being the frontrunner to land the fight.
The camp of Katsidis awaits Diaz's signature on the fight contract. Diaz has 10-days, or else Katsidis, the WBO's interim champ, will be declared the full champion.
"I'm very happy with the WBO for enforcing the purse bid, it was overdue but they did it,'' Smith said. "Now we'll see if Juan Diaz signs to do the fight. The fight isn't a done deal yet by no means, but it's a step closer. Michael (Katsidis) is going about his business at the moment, he's just concentrating on himself and what he has to do and Michael doesn't get caught up in the rest of it."
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
