Katsidis in Manila, seeks fight with Pacquiao

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/164199/Katsidis-in-Manila-seeks-fight-with-Pacquiao MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Michael Katsidis is the latest in a growing list of fighters who want to challenge pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Unlike the rest of them, the Australian brawler is willing to come over and fight the Filipino boxing icon in front of his adoring countrymen. “I will not fight you anywhere else but here in the Philippines and this is why I have come here before your people," said Katsidis, who arrived in the country Thursday accompanied by manager Brendon Smith. A major Australian online betting company Sportsbet.com, which recently sold half of its shares to an Irish group for a staggering $200 million, will be backing Katsidis in his bid to fight the 30-year old Pacquiao. “I will give your people this fight here. If you accept this challenge I will come to you," he said. His backers, according to Katsidis, are willing to support and even bankroll his challenge of Pacquiao. The Australian is hoping that his presence here in the country would jumpstart negotiations with Pacquiao’s camp. “It will be great for Manny to fight in front of his countrymen and it is only me who is willing to accept the task of being his challenger. The Mayweathers, Marquez and Mosleys, they won’t come here. They’re all focused in the United States," added Katsidis. The Australian, who has set up his training camp in Thailand, is coming off an eight round technical knockout win over former world champion Jesus Chavez. Katsidis is best known for his brutal 12-round slugfest against Filipino Augusto Caesar Amonsot two years ago in Las Vegas where both fighters ended up in the hospital. The Aussie won the fight via a close unanimous decision while Amonsot ended up being medically suspended indefinitely by the Nevada State Athletic Commission as specks of blood were traced outside of his brain. The 28-year-old Katsidis (25-2, 21 KO’s) lost his interim crown to Joel Casamayor via a 10th round stoppage in March last year. For his comeback fight after the Casamayor debacle Katsidis fought and lost to Juan Diaz in a close 12-round verdict September of 2008. He has since recovered from those twin losses with back-to-back wins over Chavez and Angel Ramirez this year.