MICHAEL KATSIDIS is leaving no stone unturned having already arrived in the UK ahead of his clash with Tommy Coyle at the Ice Arena in Hull on October 25, live on Sky Sports.
The Australian, who will be trained by Maurice Core for the Lightweight contest, is taking no chances with his preparations and is already making significant strides into what he expects to be a perfect camp.
Katsidis, who has traded leather in some epic contests with star-studded names such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor is positive he will add the British scalp of Coyle to those of Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell who he stopped in 2007 and 2011 respectively.
For Coyle, a win will continue his ascent up the 135lbs rankings and clear the way to a potential Battle of Hull next summer against friend and rival, Luke Campbell. A win for Katsidis will quieten naysayers who say he should retire, and keep his hopes of another world title shot alive.
Coyle canโt wait to share a ring with Katsidis.
โI used to be a big fan of his and I still am a big fan of Michael Katsidis,โ said Coyle. โIโve watched his fights for years. When I was offered the fight I took it straight away. I think all the boxing fans know I like to be involved in exciting fights and Iโm sure this one will be another one of them.โ
The 25-year-old says that his thrill-a-minute fight of the year contender against Daniel Brizuela, who fights Luke Campbell on the same show in Hull, back in February hasnโt taken anything away from him as some have suggested.
โI donโt think it took much out of me, Iโm only young,โ said Coyle. โIโve got fresh legs, itโs not like Iโve been involved in 10 of those fights it was just the one. I was in fantastic shape. I couldโve done 15 rounds that night.
โMy lasting memory was picking myself up each time from the canvas. As the counts got bigger, the crowd got louder. Thatโs what picked me up and pulled me through fighting at home. Iโve got fantastic fans. But that adds character to someone generally. Itโs certainly done that to me. Itโs given me confidence. I was in there against a world class fighter and I was on the canvas four times. To come back to win a fight which, many said has been fight of the year, it shows character. It shows I can dig down into the trenches. Itโs second nature to me.โ
Coyleโs clash with Katsidis headlines a fantastic nightโs boxing at the Hull Arena which also features Campbell against Brizuela and Gavin McDonnell stepping into international waters for the first time against Vusi Malinga. The show also sees hot prospect Gamal Yafai continue his education plus the showcase of local talent Nathon Smith, Tom Knight, Charlie Payton and Connor Seymour.