Michael Katsidis's brother found dead at home

[boxingbantz]

John Wallace, the trainer of Cox Plate hopeful Shoot Out, is finding it hard to come to grips with the death of star jockey Stathi Katsidis.


Wallace hasn't yet thought of finding a replacement rider for Shoot Out in the Cox Plate but is hoping the AJC Australian Derby winner can win for his close friend.


"I can't believe it," Wallace said."What a waste of a life. He was a nice guy."
Katsidis was found dead in his Hendra home, on Brisbane's northside, early on Tuesday by his partner Melissa Jackson.


Police said there were no suspicious circumstances but were investigating the cause of death.


It's not known whether drugs may have been involved as Katsidis had a troubled past with drugs and alcohol.


He served a nine-month disqualification for testing positive to ecstasy in 2008 and also battled weight problems.


In February 2008, Katsidis had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit when pulled over by police at Toowoomba.


He was fined $1000 for drink driving and disqualified from driving for six months.
Katsidis showed no signs he had returned to his bad old days of using drugs and was even playing tennis with fellow jockeys on Monday.


Wallace said he saw Katsidis at the Sunshine Coast meeting on Sunday when the jockey told him he couldn't wait to get to Melbourne.


Katsidis was due to ride Shoot Out in the Group One Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday and in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington next month.
"I had a cup of coffee with Stathi after the last at Caloundra on Sunday and he was all go," Wallace said.


"He told me he couldn't wait to get to Melbourne and that he'd be down on Thursday.
"A lot of people don't realise it but he helped a lot of people including apprentices and did a lot of good things.


"It's a total shock."

Shit man, tragic.

RIP

[Violent Demise]

Fight better still be on. Would hate for Marquez to have to sit around waiting. Might as well fight someone else. Situation sucks for Katsidis. But the fight ain't set till the end of November. Plenty of time for him to get his mourn on. And than fight.

[ManicHands80]

Damn, news like that is never pleasant. I hope Katsidis is able to focus on any match he'll have after the tragedy, because shit like that could have you in grieve mode, thrashing about; and looking sloppy. Also it could have you making weird footwork and taking too many punches to the head. He is gonna have to maintain a clear head for and during his future bouts. Understand, the grieving process could be a very long process especially for a situation like the one his brother was involved. You're wondering what's the actual cause, he's a good guy, so on, and so forth, but the fact of the matter is it could build Katsidis to achieve victory in memory of his brother, or it could utterly destroy him in the ring.

[THE THIRD MAN]

It's big news down here, Katsidis was one of Australia's best and most successful jockey's.
Apparently Michael Katsidis has taken the news very hard, understandable and it is tragic news. His brother has had a history of drug related issues in the past, terrible outcome.

[rjj tszyu]

Tragic news.

Same thing happened to Evander just before the first Bowe fight except his brother was murdered. If his mind is not going to be right he needs to pull out of the fight!

[boxingbantz]

Well there is just over a month to go until the fight, obviously a week or two of no training (at least) is be a huge factor in his performance. Understandably, wouldn't be surprised if he pulls out but, then again, he may use it to spur him on. Everyone is different I suppose. May want to carry on and win the fight in his brother's memory.

[TigerFan]

Rip

[Hulk]

Fight better still be on. Would hate for Marquez to have to sit around waiting. Might as well fight someone else. Situation sucks for Katsidis. But the fight ain't set till the end of November. Plenty of time for him to get his mourn on. And than fight.

You my friend are a class act

[LeonardHood]

RIP, sad news

[JonnyFolds]

Yeha I feel for Katisidis. Very tough situation to move past, this is all he needed. Now I bet the Vegas odds will be 4:1 for Marquez. watch

Is he training stateside or in Australia? Makes a pretty big difference between going to "get his mourn on"

[boxingbantz]

Yeha I feel for Katisidis. Very tough situation to move past, this is all he needed. Now I bet the Vegas odds will be 4:1 for Marquez. watch

Is he training stateside or in Australia? Makes a pretty big difference between going to "get his mourn on"

Training in Thailand at the moment mate. Or was, anyway.

[Violent Demise]

Fight better still be on. Would hate for Marquez to have to sit around waiting. Might as well fight someone else. Situation sucks for Katsidis. But the fight ain't set till the end of November. Plenty of time for him to get his mourn on. And than fight.

You my friend are a class act

It the biggest fight of his career. He delays the fight with Marquez and there's no guarantee it'll be there when he's ready. Marquez at his age ain't trying to just sit around and wait. He'll most likely do the smart thing and move on. Marquez don't need Katsidis. Katsidis needs him.

[THE THIRD MAN]

It's a blow for Katsidis, the fight is postponed. It is a tragedy and sometimes we as sports fans have to realise that family comes first no matter who you are. I bet Marquez would do the same if it was his brother.

[Rantcatrat]

Fight better still be on. Would hate for Marquez to have to sit around waiting. Might as well fight someone else. Situation sucks for Katsidis. But the fight ain't set till the end of November. Plenty of time for him to get his mourn on. And than fight.

You my friend are a class act

It the biggest fight of his career. He delays the fight with Marquez and there's no guarantee it'll be there when he's ready. Marquez at his age ain't trying to just sit around and wait. He'll most likely do the smart thing and move on. Marquez don't need Katsidis. Katsidis needs him.

That was not the point of the post. The point was it's a shame that his brother passed away at 28. Your post slighted that.

It had nothing to do with Marquez. It makes no difference to Marquez anyway whatsoever. He can fight Amir Khan or the winner of Bradley/Alexander and do a mandatory while he's waiting.

[Gandalf]

That is terrible news for Katsidis. I don't know who the brother is, but what an arse for going out the way he did. Regardless, I respect the decision to pull out. You can't readily fight when a brother has done something as selfish and stupid as that, it will mess your mind up.

VD was insensitive, but I do kind of agree with him from a selfish fans perspective, it was a fight I was looking forward to and Marquez isn't getting any younger. Hopefully Katsidis can bounce back and that Marquez can stay busy and not waste the camp entirely.