Marquez (51-5-1, 37 knockouts) stands as Mexico’s proudest world champion, having fought Manny Pacquiao to a 2004 draw and a 2008 split-decision loss. Marquez proceeded to claim the lightweight belt by defeating Juan Diaz in the 2009 fight of the year.
He took a big pay day to get beat by the far larger Floyd Mayweather Jr. later last year, then returned to the lightweight division and punished Diaz again in a July unanimous decision.
Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) has lost to two opponents that Marquez has defeated in recent years –- Diaz and Joel Casamayor –- but he’s won his last four bouts and is fighting in the memory of his brother, who died recently.
Marquez expressed sympathy, but has his sights set on a third showdown with Pacquiao. Any hope of that requires a victory tonight.
Here's round-by-round coverage of the fight (scoring is unofficial):
Round 1: Marquez starts with jabs to the body. He lands a good right to Katsidis’ face. Another. Marquez is blocking Katsidis’ jab. Katsidis sneaks one in. Good right by Marquez. He works for openings. Good overhand right by Marquez. Marquez wins round, 10-9.
Round 2: Marquez jabs to the head. Katsidis going inside, but he gets hit. Marquez hitting low. Marquez right to body, left to head. Good combo to head by Marquez. Katsidis tough to inside, but sustains three hard combinations in final 30 seconds. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 20-18.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs Michael Katsidis
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