Red Hot Michael Katsidis Set to Defend in Brisbane

Hot Australian prospect Michael “Rocky’ Katsidis takes on Filipino Ranee Ganoy on Friday night for the WBO Asia Pacific Light Welterweight crown at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane. Katsidis has been hailed by some observers as Australias best home grown prospect since Jeff Fenech.

A high volume puncher and Olympian in Sydney 2000, he has cut a swathe through all before him in the paid ranks, notching up a record of 17-0 with 15 coming inside the distance.

A non-stop punching machine, Katisidis spits out combinations like an assault rifle, and the comparisons with Fenech, one of Australian boxing’s greatest sons, are warranted. Former Australian 140lb world champion Barry Michael coined Katsidis’ nickname “Rocky’ when he compared him to former WBC Junior Middleweight champ Rocky Mattioli.

The bout will be no pushover for Katsidis. Ganoy is riding the crest of a three fight winning streak, all of them by knockout.

A victory for would be the perfect birthday present for Katsidis, who turned 25 on Monday.