Khan will not agree to fight Michael Katsidis

World champion Amir Khan will not agree to fight Michael Katsidis, the Australian's trainer has told the BBC.

Katsidis stopped the previously unbeaten Kevin Mitchell earlier this month and there have been rumours of a match-up with Khan this summer.
"I really don't see it happening. This is a very risky fight for Amir and one they would not take at this stage," said Brendon Smith.
Katsidis could fight Manchester's John Murray next time out.
Smith claims that WBA title-holder Khan has already turned down the chance to take on the hard-hitting Katsidis.
"There was an opportunity for the two to fight in Amir's US debut, but it was turned by Freddie Roach [Khan's trainer] and instead Paulie Malignaggi was chosen," said Smith.
Khan put on a classy performance in his first fight in America on 16 May, stopping home-town favourite Malignaggi in the 11th round at New York's Madison Square Garden.
On the same night, WBO interim lightweight champion Katsidis destroyed West Ham fan Mitchell inside three rounds at Upton Park.
The 29-year-old Queenslander had already demonstrated his punching power to British fans in a brutal five-round hammering of Luton's Graham Earl at Wembley on his UK debut in 2007.
Though Katsidis would have to move up to face Khan, his camp is confident of adding Bolton's light-welterweight champion to his list of British scalps.

"I've spoken to Richard Scheafer [CEO of Golden Boy, Khan's promoters] who likes the idea and would like to do a fight with Katsidis and Khan," said Smith.
"There is no better fight in England than Amir Khan versus Michael Katsidis. Can Michael get the hat-trick? Yes he can. Can the fight be made? I don't think so."
Khan has said that he wants to unify the light-welterweight division and is thought to be weighing up a potential bout with mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana of Argentina.
Khan is also targeting unification fights against Americans Timothy Bradley, the WBO light-welterweight champion, and WBC and IBF light-welterweight king Devon Alexander.
A clash with unbeaten British and European lightweight champion Murray could be more likely for Katsidis, with Smith suggesting that discussions have already begun.
"I was contacted by Murray's promoter Mick Hennessy the day after the Mitchell fight. He reckons they could draw a 20,000 crowd in Manchester," said Smith.
"Murray has called Michael out on several occasions, saying Katsidis has not beaten the best in the UK. Fair enough, that's his opinion.
"Michael loves boxing in England because of the atmosphere and the passion of the fans.
"I've not had an offer put before me, but if the money is right we will travel to Manchester for the fight. The ball is in John and Mick's court on this one."

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Originally Posted by jumpship

World champion Amir Khan will not agree to fight Michael Katsidis, the Australian's trainer has told the BBC.

Katsidis stopped the previously unbeaten Kevin Mitchell earlier this month and there have been rumours of a match-up with Khan this summer.
"I really don't see it happening. This is a very risky fight for Amir and one they would not take at this stage," said Brendon Smith.
Katsidis could fight Manchester's John Murray next time out.
Smith claims that WBA title-holder Khan has already turned down the chance to take on the hard-hitting Katsidis.
"There was an opportunity for the two to fight in Amir's US debut, but it was turned by Freddie Roach [Khan's trainer] and instead Paulie Malignaggi was chosen," said Smith.
Khan put on a classy performance in his first fight in America on 16 May, stopping home-town favourite Malignaggi in the 11th round at New York's Madison Square Garden.
On the same night, WBO interim lightweight champion Katsidis destroyed West Ham fan Mitchell inside three rounds at Upton Park.
The 29-year-old Queenslander had already demonstrated his punching power to British fans in a brutal five-round hammering of Luton's Graham Earl at Wembley on his UK debut in 2007.
Though Katsidis would have to move up to face Khan, his camp is confident of adding Bolton's light-welterweight champion to his list of British scalps.

"I've spoken to Richard Scheafer [CEO of Golden Boy, Khan's promoters] who likes the idea and would like to do a fight with Katsidis and Khan," said Smith.
"There is no better fight in England than Amir Khan versus Michael Katsidis. Can Michael get the hat-trick? Yes he can. Can the fight be made? I don't think so."
Khan has said that he wants to unify the light-welterweight division and is thought to be weighing up a potential bout with mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana of Argentina.
Khan is also targeting unification fights against Americans Timothy Bradley, the WBO light-welterweight champion, and WBC and IBF light-welterweight king Devon Alexander.
A clash with unbeaten British and European lightweight champion Murray could be more likely for Katsidis, with Smith suggesting that discussions have already begun.
"I was contacted by Murray's promoter Mick Hennessy the day after the Mitchell fight. He reckons they could draw a 20,000 crowd in Manchester," said Smith.
"Murray has called Michael out on several occasions, saying Katsidis has not beaten the best in the UK. Fair enough, that's his opinion.
"Michael loves boxing in England because of the atmosphere and the passion of the fans.
"I've not had an offer put before me, but if the money is right we will travel to Manchester for the fight. The ball is in John and Mick's court on this one."

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According to that article, Katsidis trainer is just speculating that he doesn't think Kahn would fight Katsidis. A little misleading.

I agree with Ono and if Khan dodges Kastidis to unify the titles, it would be very difficult to be angry at him for attempting to be undisputed... assuming he dodges Kastidis to do that, of course.

I think Fat Mick has had one to many Big Macs hahaha John Murray could sell 20 thousand tickets?? Where does the man get this shite from, John who I am a big fan and is a top bloke struggles to sell tickets at the local leisure centres in and around Manchester but Mick thinks he can go from 3k to 20k. :-\

yes think it is just Kat's trainer speculating

Besidas after reading Khan's twitter he doesn't have to fight Katsidis as he has more money in the bank than him - so basically it would be an easy win for Amir

Roach doesn't want the fight. Freddie knows who to pick and choose to keep his fighters safe. Sad, but true. Open your eyes-he does it with all of his fighters.

There are as yet undiscovered tribes in the Peruvian jungle knew Amir Khan's people would avoid Michael Katsidis like the plague! This is 2010 and we all know belts and unifications are not as important as making big fights! Khan V Katsidis is the biggest fight Khan could have in the UK right now. Katsidis is known in the UK, he probably has gained a following.
This is Khan's people playing safety first, something the little K man cannot be accused of.
Make the fight!

In boxing, rightly or wrongly, boxers who don't jump at the chance to fight another boxer are perceived as ducking that other boxer. It's simple: If it IS true that Khan's people would rather not have Amir face Katsidis at this particular moment in time, then they will be perceived as ducking Katsidis. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. But the fact of the matter is... the fight is out there to be made. The fans want it... the media wants it. The ball's in Khan's court.

I also recall reading a recent interview with Roach about Khan's next opponent and the jr. welterweight division. He said that he'd like to see a 4 man elimination series with Bradley fighting Alexander ( he felt that Alexander hasn't fought anyone worth mentioning) and Khan fighting Maldana, with the winners facing each other.

Bradley wants Khan:

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"The toughest fight would be Devon [Alexander] no doubt. The second toughest fight would be Marcos Maidana, and the third would be Khan. That's how I rank it. But the most money is Khan. I would take Khan in a heartbeat. Alexander is a lefty, he's quick and has a great jab, [and] he's hungry. The thing with Khan is, he's still learning. He still has a lot to learn. I saw a lot of things he did wrong against Malignaggi."

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As does Andre Berto's at Welterweight. From his promotor Lou Dibella:

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"I'm not saying that he's definitely going to do it, but in this business it's good to have options and one of his options is to fight below 147. Berto is not a big welterweight. Why couldn't Amir Khan or Tim Bradley fight Berto for his welterweight title at 143 or 144? He wants the big fights now. There is a lot of talent and a lot of potential good fights a weight class below"

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Can't see Khan fighting Berto at welterweight just yet. ;D

Con shows the world his true color is indeed yellow

Speculation. If Khan fights in July it should be a credible opponet, Katisidis is just that. I think Khan can beat him too as Khan is bigger and just needs to avoid the reckless punches of Michael.

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Originally Posted by Master

Speculation. If Khan fights in July it should be a credible opponet, Katisidis is just that. I think Khan can beat him too as Khan is bigger and just needs to avoid the reckless punches of Michael.

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He won't be able to avoid them for 12 whole rounds. He'll get caught some where along the line

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Originally Posted by Master

Speculation. If Khan fights in July it should be a credible opponet, Katisidis is just that. I think Khan can beat him too as Khan is bigger and just needs to avoid the reckless punches of Michael.

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Freddie is avoiding him for Khan. That's all we need to know; he always has a good reason.

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

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Originally Posted by Master

Speculation. If Khan fights in July it should be a credible opponet, Katisidis is just that. I think Khan can beat him too as Khan is bigger and just needs to avoid the reckless punches of Michael.

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He won't be able to avoid them for 12 whole rounds. He'll get caught some where along the line

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I agree but Katsidis can be reckless and get caught aswell, although he has a better chin.

Khan proved his chin by walking through all of Malinaggi's power punches. No way Katsidis or any of the other guys at 140 hit as hard as Paulie.

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I think Fat Mick has had one to many Big Macs hahaha John Murray could sell 20 thousand tickets?? Where does the man get this shite from, John who I am a big fan and is a top bloke struggles to sell tickets at the local leisure centres in and around Manchester but Mick thinks he can go from 3k to 20k. :-\

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I was thinking that too. And it's a hell of a jump in class for Murray, I think Katsidis wins it easily and I don't think the fat man can be serious.

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

Khan proved his chin by walking through all of Malinaggi's power punches. No way Katsidis or any of the other guys at 140 hit as hard as Paulie.

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;D