BROWNNOSE
BOOTLICKER
The Broadcast Will Begin at 6:45 PT/ 9:45 ET on HBO East
Warriors
Juan Manuel Marquez vs Michael Katsidis
WBA Super World lightweight title and WBO lightweight title.
The 12 round event is being billed as Warriors: Marquez vs. Katsidis is scheduled for Saturday, November 27 and will be televised live on HBO Championship Boxing from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Given the styles of both fighters, Marquez vs. Katsidis has Fight of the Year written all over it," said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "Marquez looked better than ever against Juan Diaz in his last fight and Katsidis is in top form coming off of a big knockout win over Kevin Mitchell; so boxing fans will be in for a treat on November 27."
"Michael Katsidis is a very aggressive fighter and that's the style I like to fight against the most," said Marquez. "Styles make fights and my style and his together will give fans a great show in November, but I'm not about to give my titles away."
"What more can you say about Juan Manuel Marquez," said Katsidis. "He's one of the best in the world pound-for-pound, and a future Hall of Famer. I'm ready for the challenge though, and I don't think he'll be able to hold me off for 12 rounds. I'm coming for those belts."
"The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is noted for its great lineup of sports action and family get-togethers. This fights card fits in perfectly," said Kery Davis, senior vice president of programming HBO Sports. "We are excited to be presenting it to our subscribers."
A three-division World Champion who currently holds the Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO belts at 135 pounds, Mexico City's Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) has firmly established his legacy as one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all-time. While that would be enough for some, the 37-year-old "Dinamita" is far from finished, and considering that his resume over the last three years includes wins over the likes of Marco Antonio "Barreta" Barrera, Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz (twice) and Joel "Cepillo" Casamayor, there's no question there's plenty of gas left in this legendary fighter's tank.
The hard-charging pride of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, Michael "The Great" Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) is a thrill-a-minute warrior who has thrilled fans around the globe with his "go-for-broke" fighting style. A two-time, and current, holder of the interim WBO lightweight crown, the 30-year-old is currently sporting a four-fight winning streak which includes a stoppage of Jesus "Matador" Chavez, a stirring win over Vicente Escobedo, and a three-round blitz of 31-0 Kevin Mitchell. On November 27, he faces his biggest challenge ever.
The Undercard
Andre Berto vs Freddy Hernandez
Welterweight bout
Celestino Caballero vs Jason Litzau
Super Featherweight bout
WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto and WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Celestino Caballero – will both step into the ring on the televised undercard of WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez’s title defense against WBO Interim Lightweight World Champion Michael Katsidis from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Berto (26-0, 20 KOs) will make the fourth defense of his title against once-beaten, #11 ranked Freddy Hernandez. Hernandez (29-1, 20 KOs) earned the title shot in his last bout, the most impressive of his career, when he stopped former world champion Mike Anchondo in four rounds.
