Amir Khan unwilling to fight Katsidis, claims trainer

[Goodfa]

Michael Katsidis's manager has accused Amir Khan of "losing his bottle" by rejecting a fight with his charge.

Reports suggested Katsidis, who destroyed Kevin Mitchell in London last month, had pulled out of a possible fight with Khan in London on 31 July.
But Brendon Smith said Katsidis "is available", while also claiming British lightweight champion John Murray is ducking a fight with his man.
Khan is set to face Joel Casamayor in a WBA light-welterweight title defence.
The Cuban veteran is a former super-feather and lightweight world champion and stopped Katsidis in 10 wild rounds in 2008.

However, Casamayor, who has 37 wins (22 KOs) and four defeats from 42 professional fights, is now 38 and Smith believes Khan's camp have taken the easier option, with trainer Freddie Roach instrumental in steering his man away from Katsidis.

"I am confident in saying Khan's team have viewed the tape of Michael against Kevin Mitchell and a cross would have gone through Michael's name immediately," Smith told BBC Sport.

"Therefore Joel Casamayor has now become a much safer choice.
"Michael Katsidis has never pulled out of a fight with Amir Khan... we have never received an offer to fight Amir Khan.

"I did have a discussion with [Golden Boy Promotions chief] Richard Schaefer, who would love to put this fight on and knows we are available on the proviso that Michael is paid accordingly.

"Michael says he would love to pull the hat-trick with Amir Khan [as well as Mitchell, Katsidis also beat Luton's Graham Earl in 2007]."
Khan beat Paulie Malignaggi in some style on his United States debut on the same night Katsidis beat Mitchell, and said afterwards his plan was to unify the light-welterweight division.

Timothy Bradley is the WBO light-welterweight champion, while fellow American Devon Alexander holds the and WBC and IBF light-welterweight belts.

As for Murray, last week Smith claimed the Manchester fighter's promoter Mick Hennessy contacted him the day after Katsidis' defeat of Mitchell suggesting a match could be made, but Smith says he has not heard anything since.

"It is a nice feeling when you have two of the best English fighters calling Michael's name out to promote themselves, but I feel sorry for the English fans who would love to see these fights and are not getting told the truth.

"The real truth is, sorry to say it England, two of your greatest fighters have temporarily lost their balls/bottle and unless they find them quickly you won't be seeing Michael Katsidis in the opposite corner any time soon."

Murray, who also holds the European lightweight crown and recently broke into The Ring magazine's top 10 at 135lb, is unbeaten in 29 fights.
The 25-year-old claimed beforehand that he wanted to fight the winner of Katsidis-Mitchell, saying he was "capable of taking out either in style".

Smith said that WBO interim lightweight champion Katsidis, 29, will honour his commitment to fight the winner of Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz, who meet on 31 July.

[ma51f]

everone knows it was Kats team that rejected the fight. he's just trying to save face.

anyway im glad they rejected it, would have been an easy Khan win

[Goodfa]

everone knows it was Kats team that rejected the fight. he's just trying to save face.

anyway im glad they rejected it, would have been an easy Khan win

Dream on. Your boy only fights old men and pillow fisted boxers.

[Hard Boiled]

Dream on. Your boy only fights old men and pillow fisted boxers.

Maybe Mitchell should get a rematch with Katsidis.

[MOTHER DUCKER]

Kastidas team dropped this fight and rightfully so because Marquez should grow a pair and fight Kats rather then fight a guy he allready beat and should be 0-3 in his last 3 fights..

[Rick Grimes]

everone knows it was Kats team that rejected the fight. he's just trying to save face.

anyway im glad they rejected it, would have been an easy Khan win

If they didn't want to fight Khan they would just stay quiet, I believe that Khan never made the offer.

[Terrel]

Goodfa, seriously dude. Enough with these constant threads always about Khan. Katsidis pulled out of a fight with Khan, not the other way round. Thats from the horses mouth mate, search it up. He'd rather wit for Marquez-Diaz winner.

As for Casamayor, yes, Khan could have gone for a better, younger opponent but he knows he has little to no time to prepare for a challenging fight in any way. I agree, he's picked an old opponent, but why not for a pass-time fight? Even he was to beat Maidana you'd still come up with an excuse to belittle him.

Before you go ahead and start stating that im a 'fanboy' of Khan, I'd go through my posts on this forum and then think about what to label me as.

Khan has been protected. But he is young and has a long way to go. The only people i'd mouthing off to right about now are GBP who are doing a shoddy ass job. Khan, I believe truly wants to fight the best and now.. but his team are not making the right 'deals', thats in no way Khans fault. He's taking care of business with whoever they put in front of him.

The bigger fights will come. Unlike some truly 'nob jocky' defenders of Khan im not saying he's the best and im not denying he's being protected. You'd have to be blind to miss that, im saying give the kid a chance.

[Goodfa]

Goodfa, seriously dude. Enough with these constant threads always about Khan. Katsidis pulled out of a fight with Khan, not the other way round. Thats from the horses mouth mate, search it up. He'd rather wit for Marquez-Diaz winner.

As for Casamayor, yes, Khan could have gone for a better, younger opponent but he knows he has little to no time to prepare for a challenging fight in any way. I agree, he's picked an old opponent, but why not for a pass-time fight? Even he was to beat Maidana you'd still come up with an excuse to belittle him.

Before you go ahead and start stating that im a 'fanboy' of Khan, I'd go through my posts on this forum and then think about what to label me as.

Khan has been protected. But he is young and has a long way to go. The only people i'd mouthing off to right about now are GBP who are doing a shoddy ass job. Khan, I believe truly wants to fight the best and now.. but his team are not making the right 'deals', thats in no way Khans fault. He's taking care of business with whoever they put in front of him.

The bigger fights will come. Unlike some truly 'nob jocky' defenders of Khan im not saying he's the best and im not denying he's being protected. You'd have to be blind to miss that, im saying give the kid a chance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8709188.stm

[Jim Tom]

Michael Katsidis's manager has accused Amir Khan of "losing his bottle" by rejecting a fight with his charge.

Reports suggested Katsidis, who destroyed Kevin Mitchell in London last month, had pulled out of a possible fight with Khan in London on 31 July.
But Brendon Smith said Katsidis "is available", while also claiming British lightweight champion John Murray is ducking a fight with his man.
Khan is set to face Joel Casamayor in a WBA light-welterweight title defence.
The Cuban veteran is a former super-feather and lightweight world champion and stopped Katsidis in 10 wild rounds in 2008.

However, Casamayor, who has 37 wins (22 KOs) and four defeats from 42 professional fights, is now 38 and Smith believes Khan's camp have taken the easier option, with trainer Freddie Roach instrumental in steering his man away from Katsidis.

"I am confident in saying Khan's team have viewed the tape of Michael against Kevin Mitchell and a cross would have gone through Michael's name immediately," Smith told BBC Sport.

"Therefore Joel Casamayor has now become a much safer choice.
"Michael Katsidis has never pulled out of a fight with Amir Khan... we have never received an offer to fight Amir Khan.

"I did have a discussion with [Golden Boy Promotions chief] Richard Schaefer, who would love to put this fight on and knows we are available on the proviso that Michael is paid accordingly.

"Michael says he would love to pull the hat-trick with Amir Khan [as well as Mitchell, Katsidis also beat Luton's Graham Earl in 2007]."
Khan beat Paulie Malignaggi in some style on his United States debut on the same night Katsidis beat Mitchell, and said afterwards his plan was to unify the light-welterweight division.

Timothy Bradley is the WBO light-welterweight champion, while fellow American Devon Alexander holds the and WBC and IBF light-welterweight belts.

As for Murray, last week Smith claimed the Manchester fighter's promoter Mick Hennessy contacted him the day after Katsidis' defeat of Mitchell suggesting a match could be made, but Smith says he has not heard anything since.

"It is a nice feeling when you have two of the best English fighters calling Michael's name out to promote themselves, but I feel sorry for the English fans who would love to see these fights and are not getting told the truth.

"The real truth is, sorry to say it England, two of your greatest fighters have temporarily lost their balls/bottle and unless they find them quickly you won't be seeing Michael Katsidis in the opposite corner any time soon."

Murray, who also holds the European lightweight crown and recently broke into The Ring magazine's top 10 at 135lb, is unbeaten in 29 fights.
The 25-year-old claimed beforehand that he wanted to fight the winner of Katsidis-Mitchell, saying he was "capable of taking out either in style".

Smith said that WBO interim lightweight champion Katsidis, 29, will honour his commitment to fight the winner of Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz, who meet on 31 July.

Katsidis is a dangerous fight for Khan,he has the stamina & he punches above his weight

[Heeb]

How about Khan fights someone in his own weight class?