Should Michael Katsidis Fight or Withdraw? Both Decisions Have Historical Support

When someone close to you unexpectedly dies, your emotions become a mixture of shock, anger, and anguish. People either become despondent for a time and grieve away from others, or immerse themselves in some type of work or activity. Michael Katsidis, whose brother Stathi Katsidis was just found dead of possible drug or alcohol abuse, has such a scenario facing him. On November 27, he is scheduled for the biggest fight of his career in facing lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. The big decision in front of him now is whether to move forward with the bout, or withdraw to grieve away from boxing. On both sides of the argument are past examples that may give Katsidis more insight into what is best for him.

When considering not fighting, Katisidis can look at the example of former Colombian middleweight Rodrigo Valdez, who’s brother was murdered in a bar fight just a week before he was scheduled to unify with WBA champion Carlos Monzon in June 1976. Feeling the pressure of the contract stipulations and wanting to unify the middleweight crown, Valdez decided to move forward with the fight. It turned out to be a huge mistake, because mentally Valdez could not focus on the task at hand. There was no fire for competition that night, and Monzon easily outpointed a sleepwalking Valdez to take his opponent’s WBC belt.

But there are also examples of fighters using the pain of a family death to push them beyond their normal limitations to great, upset victories. A recent example is Lamon Brewster, the last man to beat dominant heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko. Before the fight, Brewster was reeling from the death of his trainer and close friend Billy Slayton. At the press conference for the 2004 fight, Brewster tearfully vowed that the Ukrainian would have to kill him to win.

Early one, it appeared Klitschko was willing to do just that. Brewster was pummeled around the ring, and suffered a big knockdown that looked to end the fight in round four. But Brewster kept coming forward, and eventually began wearing down his more skilled opponent. By the fifth, Brewster had his man exhausted and scored his own knockdown to win the round big. A spent Klitschko could barely make it to his corner, and the referee called the fight off and gave Brewster the biggest win of his career.

One of the biggest upsets in boxing history is due to a fighter being motivated by a family death. Before facing Mike Tyson in 1990, James “Buster” Douglas was still grieving the death of his mother. He dedicated the fight to her and promised to shock the world by being the first man to defeat Iron Mike. Douglas was in top form that night and nearly dominated the entire contest. It was a classic performance fueled by grief, and a level Douglas had not reached before nor would he see again.

The final consideration would be not to fight. In January, this was Andre Berto’s decision when he lost nine family members in the Haiti earthquake tragedy. At the time, Berto was set to face the biggest challenge of his career in Shane Mosley. HBO had been grooming Berto as its next welterweight star, and that fight was supposed to be his coming out party. Going into 2011, he’s failed to secure another elite opponent.

Michael Katisidis has all these examples to factor in before making his decision. Depending on his mentality, his brother’s death could push him to victory, or be the catalyst for a resounding defeat. The man he faces, Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best counter-punchers in boxing. Katsidis would have to be at his absolute best to win. It’s taken him will over two years to earn another title shot, and the risk in withdrawing is that he’d fall into the same career stagnation that’s afflicted Andre Berto.

This will be one of the toughest decisions Michael Katsidis ever makes in his life. But whatever he decides, Katsidis can be assured that he’ll have the entire boxing community behind him in support.