Katsidis' Trainer Promises Impressive Win With Escobedo
By Mark Vester
Lightweight Michael Katsidis (25-2, 21 KOs) promises an impressive performance when he faces Vicente Escobedo (21-1, 13 KOs) for the WBO interim-lightweight title on the undercard to Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez welterweight in Las Vegas on September 19. Katsidis' trainer said his fighter won an award and didn't even go to the WBO convention to pick it up.
"We didn't go, we've been locked down, head down, bum up in camp for almost three months," Katsidis' trainer Brendon Smith told AAP. "His physical and mental preparation has been second to none. I expect that Australia and the rest of the world will witness the greatest performance ever from this young bloke."
"He is going out to get that belt that he had around his waist once before and Escobedo has got a very dangerous boy in front of him."
Smith doesn't think Escobedo is ready for Katsidis' experience and power. He views Escobedo as a very important fight because of the possibility that a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez is at stake.
"Less than two weeks ago at the WBO convention, the president ordered that if Marquez loses the fight to Mayweather he must defend his title against the winner of Michael and Escobedo," Smith said. "If he doesn't then (the winner of Katsidis and Escobedo) is declared the outright WBO lightweight champion."
"He's a very good fighter, he had great amateur experience and represented America at the Olympics and he has fought and knocked out some good names in his (professional) career. However he hasn't had a Michael Katsidis in front of him as yet and Michael believes that Escobedo is going into the lion's den, however he does not underestimate him."
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