By Rick Reeno
The proposed bout between WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight champion Juan Diaz (33-0, 17KOs) and mandatory Michael Katsidis (23-0, 20KOs) is moving forward for Feb. 9 on HBO. Last week at the WBO headquarters in Puerto Rico, Oscar De La Hoya gained the promotional rights to the fight with a winning purse bid of $1.5 million.
Diaz's manager, Willie Savannah, informed BoxingScene.com, that Diaz will be moving forward with the fight and plans to sign the contract this week, but the process has been frustrating. Savannah's frustrations appear to be aimed at Diaz's promoter Don King. For several days, Savannah has been unable to reach the promoter to discuss the Diaz-Katsidis. According to Savannah, the fight with Katsidis could have been made a long time ago.
"There has been no movement from Don King. I've called Don, I haven't heard back. We have ten days from the date of the purse bid to sign the contract. I don't know why Don has not already made this fight. Even before the Julio Diaz fight, Don already had a deal with us for one more fight to take place before March 31 and HBO guaranteed $1.5 million for a fight against Michael Katsidis or any suitable opponent," Savannah said. "The money was there, I have it in writing, $1.5 million. Don sent a contract and tried to get another year's worth of options, after we agreed to give him one more fight. I told him that isn't going to happen."
King, who was overseas with American troops, was unable to attend the WBO's mandated purse bid. He moved for a postponement and the WBO denied his request. Apparently, King told Savannah he was never going to take part in the WBO's purse bid.
"He's had every opportunity to make this fight. We agreed to give him one more fight, and that it takes place before March 31 and he could have put this fight together without ever going to a purse bid. After the Julio Diaz fight in October, we never heard about it again. He told us a long time ago that he was not going to participate in the purse bid. We are going forward with this fight and Don can do what he wants," Savannah said.
