Katsidis concussed by Coyle in career-ending loss

 
DESPITE having fought in England a previous three times, there was an eery sense of unfamiliarity about the Hull Arena for Australian road warrior Michael Katsidis.

 
For the first time since his return, long-time head trainer Brendon Smith did not accompany the Toowoomba resident to the ring. Instead, former British titlist Maurice Harris was instilled as the head trainer as Katsidis took on popular but limited local Tommy Coyle for the IBF International lightweight strap.

 
Katsidis, 34, has fought some of the best lightweights of the past decade, most notably future Hall of Famers Juan Manuel Marquez and Joel Casamayor – alongside memorable battles with Vicente Escobedo, Juan Diaz and Robert Guerrero – not to mention his enthralling wins over British pair Graham Earl and Kevin Mitchell, respectively.

 
If anything, a fight against Coyle, 25, would serve as an accurate reflection towards both the potential duration of Katsidis’ comeback, as well as the miles left on what was already a very worn body.

 
He may have wore his infamous spartan attire to the ring, but the jovial punk rock soundtrack that greeted the Australian to the ring suggested it was going to be an indifferent night for the former two-time interim lightweight champion.

 
What was a winnable fight on paper, proved to be anything but as the light-punching Coyle (20-2, 9 KOs) obliterated Katsidis (30-7, 24 KOs) with a single albeit concussive left-hook halfway through the second round.

 
Remarkably, Katsidis made it to feet, despite looking to be unconscious upon his arrival to the canvas, before referee Marcus McDonnell wisely called the fight.

 
Up until its climax, the fight was competitive from start-to-finish.

 
While Katsidis may offer the exterior of a fighter who is still physically in shape and can actively compete in twelve round fights with the same work-rate that brought him to notoriety, it is overwhelming clear that his punch resistance is almost completely gone with his best days now well and truly behind him.

 
Almost always, fighters are not afforded the luxury of going out on their own terms and as sad as it may be, that appears to be the case with another fallen warrior in Michael Katsidis.

 
 
Words: Brock Ellis
Photo: Scott Raven