By Mark Vester

At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21KOs) won a twelve round decision over Vicente Escobedo (21-2, 13KOs) to capture the interim-WBO lightweight title. The scores were split. Escobedo took a 116-112 nod on the first card, and Katsidis took 114-113 and 118-110 on the final two cards.

Escobedo was working behind the jab for the most part. Katsidis was coming forward and getting through often with hard combinations. He took some shot for his trouble, getting puffy and suffering a small cut above the left eye by the time the first was over. Katsidis continued the same plan of attack in round two, coming forward with big shots and throwing them from all angles. Escobedo tried to counter him but the punches couldn't push Katsidis back. Escobedo was boxing well in the third, staying back and moving when Katsidis came forward to throw.

Katsidis was throwing a lot of punches in the fourth, coming forward and digging to Escobedo's body when they got close. The fifth saw Katsidis come out swinging wild with multiple combinations to the body. Katsidis was getting hit with a lot of jabs in the final minute. The sixth was a clear Katsidis round. He busted up Escobedo often with shots to the head and body, pushing him back against the ropes. Katsidis continued the assualt in the seventh, loading up on big punches while Escobedo did more to stay away than fight back.

More of Katsidis banging away on Escobedo during the eight round. Between the eight and ninth, trainer Nacho Beristain asked Escobedo if he wanted him to stop the fight. Katsidis was landing away in the ninth, going often to the body. The next two rounds were more of the same, with Katsidis punishing the body of Escobedo and going upstairs. Katsidis came out very strong in the twelfth. He opened up a cut above the left eye of Escobedo. Katsidis' right side of his face began to swell bad and almost appeared like he might have suffered a broken jaw. The two traded good shots until the bell.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com