In an unbelievable ” Fight of The Year” candidate lightweight champion Joel Casamoyer (36-3-1, 22 KO’s) won a brutal 10′th round TKO over Michael Katsidas (23-1 20 KO’s). All I can say is Wow!…I thought Cass would win but not quite like that!

The Cuban scored a flash knockdown early in the 1’st, followed by a another legit knockdown 30 seconds later. Katsidas stormed back and made the fight very competitive. The Aussie used his usual “always in your face” strategy. Cass countered by using his feet and finding a way to consistently land left hooks.

In a funny way I think he brilliant start almost hindered him as he thought the fight was all but over. But Katsidis showed incredible resolve to find his way back into the fight. In fact, he had Casamayor reeling a couple times with some bone jarring overhand rights. In the 6′th round Katsidas landed a scorching left/right combination to the head that put Casamoyer through the ropes!

But Casamayor quickly recovered from the shock of Katsidis’s comeback back and made key adjustments. Most importantly he started to box more in his usual counterpunching backfoot style.

In what turned out to be the final round Katsidis came out in the 10′th and attacked Casamayor like a bull from the gate. Obviously trying to wrest control of the fight back Katsidas then seemingly walked straight into another vicious left hook that pretty much ended it. Katsidas bravely got up, but the fight was stopped moments later when he Cass landed a flush right hand that had the Aussies eyes rolling.

Superb win for Casamayor at an advanced age and Katsidis gets nothing but credit in defeat here. Casamayor deserves a mega fight against the likes of Manny Pacquiao. Katsidas proved once again (even in the loss) that he is a true warrior.