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HBO Boxing After Dark Recap

September 6, 2008

Toyota Center-Houston, Texas

IBO Lightweight (135 pounds) 12-Round Championship Match:

Juan Diaz (33-1, 17 KO's, 134.5 pounds) vs. Michael Katsidis (23-1, 20 KO's, 134.5 pounds)

This championship is currently vacant. It was last held by Isaac Hlatswayo who vacated the title following an April 7, 2006 split decision victory over Nate Campbell at the Florida State Fairgrounds Hall in Tampa, Florida to continue his boxing career at 140 pounds.

Diaz was an outstanding amateur boxer that attempted to qualify to represent the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics. However, he would have only been 17-years-old at the time of the games, and Olympic rules require a boxer to be 18-years-old to compete. Therefore, he was not allowed to challenge for a spot on the United States Olympic boxing team. Hence, Diaz went to Mexico and qualified for their Olympic boxing team. However, he would still have not been 18-years-old at the time of the Olympics. That caused the United States and Puerto Rico to file a protest and have Diaz barred from competing at the 2000 Olympics. In response, Diaz turned pro and had his first 3 professional matches in Mexico before turning 17-years-old, when he could box professionally in the United States. Only 5 days after turning 17-years-old, Diaz made his first appearance as a pro in the United States with a round 3 technical knockout victory over Starr Johnson on September 22, 2000 at the International Ballroom in Diaz' hometown of Houston where he was still attending high school. Diaz continues to go to school in Houston and will graduate with a B.A. in Political Science from University of Houston, Downtown in May 2009.

Diaz' style can best be described as "submission boxing". Prior to suffering his first loss, the Houstonian was coming off 2 straight victories where his opponenthad theircorners toss in the towel following round 8 from the accumulation of punches Diaz had hit them with throughout the match. Diaz does not possess 1 punch knockout power, but his relentless punching on the inside forces his opponents to verbally submit. Diaz' opponents mustask that the match be stopped so the only place they have to see Diaz again is in their nightmares. Diaz did not record a knockdown in either of those matches when his opponents submitted. However,Diaz had mentally brought his opponents to their knees.

Diaz entered his last match versus Nate Campbell as the IBF, WBO and WBA Champion at 135 pounds and even though Joel Casamayor is the linear champion at 135 pounds, many experts considered Diaz thebest at 135 pounds. However, Campbell won that match via split decision on March 8, 2008 at Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico. Diaz had shown awillingness to stand in front of his opponents and take tremendous punishment to do his damage.That lead HBO's Max Kellerman to ask ifthere is a pit of Hell deep enough to stop Diaz? In round 6, Campbell found the lake of fire Diaz was unable to cross. With 50 seconds to go in round 6, Diaz was cut badly above his left eyeby a left hand from Campbell. The referee mistakenly ruled the cut was caused by a headbutt and took a point from Campbell. Regardless,that was the beginning of the end for Diaz. Heavily bleeding and with his left eye closing, Diaz went on to probably lose all of the remaining rounds. Diaz' corner was trying to get an early stoppage, knowing that the only way Diaz would keep his titles was if the match went to the scorecards early. At the end of the night, the only question was how did the one judge score the match for Diaz? The original recap of that match can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2008/9/6/recap-of-juan-diaz-last-match.html

Diaz is The Ring's number 3 ranked contender at 135 pounds to their champion in the weight class, Casamayor.

Katsidis had a stellar amateur boxing career that culminated when he represented the host nation of Australia at the 2000 Summer Olympiad.

The native of Australia is being called by boxing fansand writers "The New Action Hero" and "The Next Arturo Gatti". It is because he employs an action packed power punching style that is bereft of defense. Katsidis seems to bleed in every match. Like Gatti, win or lose Katsidis seems to be heading to the emergency room for some treatment following all of his matches. His matches are cannot miss events that provide tremendous excitement and action. However, Katsidis is so awful defensively it seems inevitable that his career will be short.

The Australian's last match was a technical knockout loss to Casamayor on March 22, 2008 at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California. It was the live match on an HBO BAD event that featured a replay of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II that was billed as a match of the year candidate. However, this match was probably better.

A left hook from Casamayor sent Katsidis to the mat 22 seconds into the match. Casamayor followed that up with an uppercut to Katsidis, while the Australian was still on his knees. The referee never saw the illegal punch. However, the foulmade Katsidis so angry, he tried to spring off his knees and go charging after Casamayor without a count being applied. The referee held Katsidis back and forced him to take his full 8-count before charging back into action. Then with 2:09 to go still in round 1, Casamayor landed another left hand that sent Katsidis to the canvas. Katsidis survived round 1, but his face was already becoming disfigured. It appeared Katsidis' nose was already broken and his face was streaked with crimson. In round 2, Casamayor cut Katsidis below the Australian's left eye. In round 3, the native Cuban cut Katsidis below his right eye. After 3 rounds, Katsidis' face was a mess with both of his eyes swelling close, cuts below both eyes, and a broken nose that was dripping blood.

However, the tide of the match changed in round 4. Katsidis hit Casamayor with a big combination that had the Cuban hurt, but Casamayor bought himself time to survive by hitting Katsidis with an intentional low blow. Casamayor was not deducted a point, but Katsidis needed some time to recover. That probably allowed Casamayor the recovery time he needed to escape the round without being knocked down. Casamayor was not out of danger, though. A Katsidis right hand sent Casamayor through the ropes and sprawling onto the apron, with32 secondsto go in round 6. With 2:35 to go in round 9, Casamayor hit Katsidis with a left hand south of the belt line, again. This time the referee took a point from Casamayor. That meant following 2 knockdowns in round 1, Katsidis had come back to take the lead on the scorecards entering round 10.

However, in round 10 Katsidis flaws caught up with him. A left hook caught him 10 seconds into the round and the Australian dropped to the canvas for a third time. After thinking about it, the referee allowed Katsidis to continue. The referee was then forced to stop the match with 2:32 to go in the round when Katsidis was taking the worst of an exchange against the ropes. The finish had the crowd screaming themselves hoarse. The crowdgave Katsidis a prolonged standing ovation, before he left the ring for the hospital and his usual post match night in the ER. The original recap of that amazing match can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2008/9/4/recap-of-michael-katsidis-last-match.html

Katsidis is The Ring's number 7 contender at 135 pounds.

At 24-years-old, Diaz is 4 years younger the 28-year-old Katsidis.Katsidis holds the height advantage standing 5' 7.5" tall, while Diaz stands 5' 6" tall. The Australian holds the reach advantage with a 23" arm length compared to the 21.5" arm length of Diaz. Katsidis will be the larger boxer in the ring, having unofficially rehydrated to 150 pounds approaching match time. Diaz has unofficially rehydrated to 146 pounds. Both boxers will employ the orthodox stance. This is probably the most exciting match up on paper at 135 pounds.

The judges are from Washington, New Mexico and Texas. The referee is Laurence Cole. Unlike most HBO BAD events this feels like a big event.

A deliberate round 1 for both boxers, which Diaz wins, 10-9. Kellerman notes that it appears the boxers are waiting to see blood before they really begin to work. There was a clash of heads in round 1, and a couple more of thoseshould oblige the boxers' blood lust. Katsidis threw 28 jabs in round 1, according to CompuBox. That is the most jabs Katsidis has thrown in a round scored by CompuBox. Lederman scores round 1 for Diaz, 10-9. With over 2 minutes to go in round 2, there is an accidentalclash of heads and Katsidis appears to be cut below his left eye. The cut is not in a dangerous place and should play no direct impact in the match. However, the matchis turning into the brawl on the inside people expected, rather then the jabbing contest the boxers delivered in round 1. Diaz wins a good round 2, 10-9. That round could have been contested in a 5' x 5' ring. Lederman scores round 2 for Diaz, 10-9. The cut on Katsidis is actually in a very bad place below his eyebrow directly above the outside half of his left eye. It is flowing heavily. The reason it appeared to be below his eye was because it had run in a clear streak around the outside of his eye and down in a path. On replay, it appears the cut was caused when Katsidis rubbed his own head against the shoulder of Diaz. Katsidis is so used to the sight of his own blood the cut is unlikely to be effecting him currently and should not unless it gets much worse. Diaz wins round 3, 10-9. The Houstonian leads on my scorecard after 3 rounds, 30-27.

Diaz wins round 3 on Lederman's scorecard, and is ahead in the match after 3 rounds, 30-27. Diaz shows some flashy combinations on the inside to take round 4 easily, 10-9. Lederman scores round 4 for Diaz, 10-9. In round 5, Katsidis was somehow cut over the right eye. Diaz wins round 5 on Lederman and my scorecard, 10-9. The Houstonian looks like the best boxer at 135 pounds, that people thought he was entering the match with Campbell. Katsidis is boxing more under control and technically sound then when he was dominating Casamayor. However, Diaz is easily handling a better version of Katsidis then Casamayor struggled to defeat. Diaz wins round 6 on Lederman and my scorecard, 10-9. After 6 rounds, Diaz leads on our scorecards, 60-54. Katsidis' only hope to win this match against Diaz who appears to be a better boxer and brawler may be to come out as the wild puncher that is a defensive mess, but would have the proverbial puncher's chance. In round 6, Diaz landed 32 total punches, while Katsidis landed 7 total punches.

Diaz wins round 7, 10-9. The Houstonian is showing more power in his punches then he has in any other match in his career. Katsidis now has a cut around his bottom lip. As expected, the Australian's face is a mess. Lederman scores round 7 for Diaz, 10-9. Round 8 is Katsidis best of the match. However, Diaz still probably wins round 8, 10-9. Katsidis wins round 8 on Lederman's scorecard, 10-9.With 1:43 to go in round 9, the referee calls time to deal with loose tape on the left glove of Katsidis. That was an inopportune pause for Katsidis, because he was doing well at the time of the break. It takes about 30 seconds for an impatient Katsidis' glove to be attended to before the action is resumed. Very close round 9 that Katsidis may win, 10-9. After 9 rounds, Diaz leads on my scorecard, 89-82. Katsidis' corner keeps telling their charge that he is doing well. However, even the most biased observer should know that Katsidis is far behind on the scorecards. Lederman scored round 9 for Diaz, 10-9, and has the Houstonian ahead in the match after 9 rounds, 89-82.

The referee signals for the bell to start round 10, then calls timeout with 2:57 to go in the round before any action can take place. The referee is having the doctor check the numerous cuts, and swelling around the eyes of Katsidis to see if the Australian can see and is fit to continue. The referee shines a light in Katsidis eyes and pronounces the boxer fit to continue. Diaz wins a close round 10, 10-9. Katsidis should be able to finish this match standing, but his sight may not hold up for another 2 rounds. The Australian's right eye is nearly swelled shut.Lederman scores round 10 for Katsidis, 10-9. With 1:45 to go in round 11, the referee calls timeout to deal with loose tape on the right glove of Katsidis. This time it gets taken care of quickly and the action is resumed after only a brief pause. Diaz wins round 11, 10-9. Before the action can begin in round 12, the referee calls time with 2:53 to go in the round. There is more lose tape on the right glove of Katsidis. The referee also requires that the corner apply some tape to the left glove of the Australian. With under 10 seconds to go in round 12, Diaz slips on the logo in the middle of the ring and goes down. The referee correctly rules it a slip. No more punches can be thrown before the final bell, once the referee dusts off Diaz. Diaz wins round 12, 10-9. Lederman scores round 12 for Diaz, 10-9. Diaz wins the match on my scorecard, 119-109. The Houstonian wins the match on Lederman's scorecard, 118-110.

The official outcome as read by Michael Buffer is that the judges have scored the match: 115-113 (Katsidis), 116-112 (Diaz), 115-113 for the winner by split decision and now IBO Lightweight Champion of the World, Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz. The judge that went for Katsidis had the Australian winning rounds 8-12 to take the match. Round 1 was close. I cannot evenguess at what other round was gifted to Katsidis. Especially since, Diaz out-landed Katsidis in all 12 rounds. The win moves Diaz to 34-1 with 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

The final punchstat numbers show that Diaz was dominant in this match landing 296 of the 801 total punches he threw, for a 37% total connect percentage. Katsidis landed 149 of the 868 total punches he threw, for a 17% total connect percentage. That means Diaz landed 147 more punches then Katsidis. Diaz said in his post match interview he wants to begin collecting belts at 135 pounds and re-establish himself as the top boxer at 135 pounds.

Katsidis said in his post match interview that he thought he won, but did not really complain. He said Diaz was a true champion and Katsidis showed a lot of class in this interview. Katsidis said he wants to continue facing the best at 135 pounds and will not take on softer opposition in his next match. When Kellerman who was conducting the interview asked Katsidis' trainer why he thought Katsidis won, the trainer responded that the first judge got it right. The trainer elaborated that the people at ringside could see it was close and they feltKatsidis pulled it out. Kellerman pressed him on this point that the HBO guys did not see this as close at all, buthad Katsidis losing a lopsided decision. The trainer then leftfuming thatthat was all he was going to say at this time. For the record, Bob Papa, who was doing play-by-play of this event for HBO, had Diaz winning the match 119-109. Lennox Lewis, who was doing color commentary of this event for HBO, scored the match for Diaz, 120-108.

Contrary to what the judges saw, Diaz was great in this match. He was dominant from bell to bell. It would be foolish for Golden Boy Promotions to not have him challenge for a major title at 135 pounds as the featured undercard match of the December 6 PPV being main evented by De La Hoya. All of the major championships at 135 pounds are on the line September 13. Until those are decided next week it is too early toguess who Diaz will face next.

Katsidis is an exciting boxer who keeps facing boxers who are a lot better then he is. He is very good, but not elite. The Gatti comparison is very apt here. Katsidis can have very exciting matches against boxer who are at the bottom of the top 10. However, he is not good enough to beat anyone much above that. His style makes for a short career span. Therefore, it would behoove him to face those next tier opponents for the maximum money and get out with whatever health that style allows.

No HBO or Showtime televised event has featured such horrific scoring in both matches in a long time. The judging at this event was an embarrassment and Kellerman commented that in the final match it looked so outlandish as to appear purposefully misguided. The second was a blowout that featured a young potential superstar returning to top form, but was greatly diminished by abominable judging. An event that looked like a must watch on paper, turned into a frustratingskip.