Michael Katsidis-Juan Manuel Marquez put off indefinitely in light of tragedy
A 27 November HBO bout between WBO interim titlist Michael Katsidis and champion Juan Manuel Marquez has been put on hold indefinitely.
The older brother of the Australian lightweight Katsidis was found dead Tuesday, in his Brisbane, Australia home. Stathi Katsidis, a thoroughbred horse jockey, was one of the elites of his profession
at 31.
The younger Katsidis is currently in Thailand preparing for his upcoming fight, which was set to take place in Las Vegas. Katsidis’s manager Brendon Smith was given the news by Katsidis’s mother, and
was preparing to deliver it to his fighter.
David Itskowich, Golden Boy executive and Katsidis’s promoter, told
ESPN: "We haven't spoken to Michael, but we have spoken to Brendon. Our concern right now is for Michael, not as to whether he will fight. He just lost his brother, who he was very close with. However long it takes, he will decide what he will do.
Right now the fight is not a concern for us. We're concerned for him."
Reports indicate Stathi’s finance, Melissa Jackson, found him in their Brisbane home. The jockey was scheduled to participate in a major race their Saturday. He lived with Jackson and their four-year-old
son Brooklyn.
Chairman of the Australian Jockeys Association, Ross Inglis, called the death “a great loss to Australian racing.”
Last season Katsidis rode the most winning horses of any Australian jockey.
Though the cause of death has yet to be determined, it is thought to be substance related. Katsidis had gone out with friends Monday night for a few drinks. He had a history of drug and alcohol problems,
having tested positive for ecstasy in 2008.
It is unclear how a Katsidis-Marquez postponement or cancellation will affect other bouts scheduled on the card. One of the main highlights was to be a fight between welterweight champion Andre Berto
and Freddy Hernandez.
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