Katsidis’ career in tatters with Mensah loss

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

(Picture by Chris Cozzone)

Aussie suffers fourth defeat in five bouts

Former two-time interim world lightweight champion Michael Katsidis is facing a tough decision following a majority decision defeat to Ghanaian Albert Mensah at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

The 31 year-old, who was fighting out of his US-base for the first time, was out-worked and out-thought by the younger Mensah as he dropped his sixth career loss in his 34^th professional contest.

Mensah, 29, was seen as a stepping stone to another world title opportunity by many, although a loss was unthinkable to Katsidis, who was contemplating retirement on the back of his loss to Scotland’s Ricky Burns last time out.

After ten bruising rounds of Katsidis fighting the only way he knows, Mensah built up a healthy lead on my card with his ability to adjust and change tactics, whilst the one-dimensional Australian became more desperate as the rounds went by.

The judges came back with cards of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 to give Mensah a career-best victory, whilst I had the bout 97-93 and there could be no argument over the result of the contest as Katsidis just didn’t do enough.

‘The Great’ now has a huge resolution to reach in the coming weeks after his move to an American base and decision to leave long-time trainer Brendon Smith has seemingly backfired and has not ironed out the mistakes made in previous defeats over the past 18 months.

I am afraid it may be the end of the road for the fighting warrior from Toowoomba.

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