Once again Mexican Legend Juan Manuel Marquez 52-5-1(38) proved that age is no obstetrical as he went toe toe with teek tough Michael Katsidis 27-3(22). The give and take action finally came to an end with the champion retaining his WBA & WBO titles via ninth round TKO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
The first round is pretty busy with both guys going straight to work, Marquez is more accurate and picks his openings while Katsidis closes the distance and stays in close to Marquez. The second see’s Marquez stay on the outside allowing Katsidis to come forward behind a high held guard. Marquez known as one of the games best counter puncher picks his way through Katsidis porous defense. Too his credit Katsidis continued to pressure Marquez landing some body punches. Nearly a minute into the third Katsidis lands a huge left hook that drops Marquez hard, to his credit he rides out the pressure and fires back his own combination’s. The third round is a contender for round of the year. Marquez enjoys a good fourth landing several eye catching combination’s to head and body. The fifth is much of the same, with Katsidis looking like a man who wont be denied walking through fire trapping Marquez on the ropes toward the end of the round. Katsidis makes Marquez work every second of the sixth & seventh rounds barreling forward pushing the hard nosed Mexican back. The war of attrition is well and truly on. Both guys have there moments in the eighth, Katsidis is marked under both eyes. Finally in the ninth when something had to give Marquez breaks through landing left uppercut hurting the brave Australian who backpedaled. Marquez jumped on his opponent and with plenty of time in the round picked his way through Katsidis until Kenny Bayliss stopped the action a 2.14 of the ninth round.
Afterwards Marquez said with regards a muted third fight with nemesis Manny Pacquiao “It’s what the public wants”
A gracious Katsidis afterward congratualted Marquez and spoke of the sad loss of his brother.
Andre Berto 27-0(21) made quick work of Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez 29-2(20) to retain his WBC Welterweight title for the fifth time. Catching him with a left hook followed by a right hand which punctured Hernandez guard sending Hernandez went down hard in the ring centre, to his credit he got up but referee Russell Mora waved the action over at 2.07 of the first round.
With none of the top guys at Featherweight willing to face Celestino Caballero 34-3(23) he moved up to Super Featherweight in an experiment that ultimately failed as he lost a close split decision to Jason Litzau 28-2(21) when the scores were totaled Litzau won 96-94 & 97-93 while the third judge scored it 96-94 for Litzau. On the HBO on the night scales Litzau weighted 140 while Caballero was 135.
Minnesota’s Litzau started well pressuring Caballero back for most of the first round. Caballero content having seen what Litzau could do picks up the pace. Both guys start fast throwing bombs, a big left from Caballero mid way through the round hurts Litzau, who quickly returns fire. Both guys look like they feel they have the power to take the other out. Caballero takes the fourth with a barrage of punches after shaking Litzau up with a solid right hand. The fifth see’s Litzau get back into the fight, again both guys trade punches with Litzau getting greater success, Caballero’s face is starting to swell. Litzau again enjoys a good round, his greater strength seems to be effecting Caballero in the sixth. The seventh is fairly scrappy round with Litzau pushing forward. Caballero regains a foot hold in the fight landing a solid left hook early in the round and another impressive combination in the middle of the round. The ninth & tenth see both guys land good shots with the momentum going back and for, in what’s a tough round to score.
Campbell Shocked – Nate Campbell dropped back down to Lightweight after a brief sojourn to Light Welterweight when he was unsuccessful against Victor Ortiz. He was expected to get back to winning ways, it didn’t prove that way as he was out hustled over 8 rounds by perennial journeyman Walter Estrada who won his third fight in a row to move to 38-13-1(25). Campbell 38, looked flat and was beaten to the punch by the Colombian on several occasions even getting rocked in the second round. Estrada was deducted a point in the third for hitting and holding. Estrada won a split decision 77-74×2 & Campbell took the other 76-75.
Cuban sensation Erislandy Lara 14-0(9) didn’t need long to dispose of Tim Connors 10-2(7). The end came at 1.38 when Lara first dropped Connors with a stiff jab. To his credit Connors rose but clearly shaken walked into a barrage of shots and was on his way down when the fight was called off. With the win Lara collects Vacant WBA Fedalatin Light Middleweight title.
Florida’s Keith Thurman 15-0(14) kept him impressive unbeaten record when he took apart Favio Medina 23-3-3(8) stopping him in the fourth with a right hand.
In Middleweight action Bastie Samir advanced to 7-0(7) when he battered Billy Cunningham into submission at 1.56. Cunningham was down 3 times before referee Jay Nady halted proceedings.
Michael Finney impressively moved to 6-0(6) when he stopped Clayvonne Howard 2-5-1(1) at 1.26 of the second round. Howard was hurt by a left hook at the end of the first round. Finney pounced on his man in the second pushing him back mixing head and body shots landing 3 hard left hooks that prompted the referee to stop the fight with Howard slumped on the ropes.
