A2Z Boxing

A myth is a story often thought to be real, but in actual fact it isn’t. A myth is also known as something that can be over exaggerated to the highest degree. A story of great but unknown age which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient story of a god. Allow me to introduce you to the men behind this so called myth Michael Katsidis and Edwin Valero.

Michael Katsidis is a action-packed lightweight who has destroyed all before him since turning professional in 2001, He has built an enviable record, unbeaten in 22 professional bouts, stopping 20 of his opponents inside the distance. Katsidis wears a scary warrior outfit complete with a gladiator looking helmet. Katsidis stands at 5’7’’ has great power in either hand and fights with aggression.

Edwin Valero gave the great Eric Morales all that he could handle in a tough sparring session, the myth also states that Valero also held more than his own against living legend Manny Pacquiao. Back in February of 2001, Valero was in a severe motorcycle accident in which he fractured his skull, forcing surgery to remove a blood clot.Valero claims that his Venezuelan doctor cleared him to fight on Jan 17, 2002 and he turned pro that July with a first-round kayo. After posting a record of 11-0 (11 first round knockouts) in the United States, In January 2004, he failed an MRI in New York and thus was not allowed to fight in the United States. He will not be allowed to fight in the United States until he clears his medical tests with a state athletic commision.

In 2006, Valero broke a boxing record which stood for 100 years. Edwin Valero won 18 straight fights in the first round. The previous record was 16 straight knockouts in the first round. In March, 2006, Valero’s streak was snapped in his 19th bout when he stopped his opponent in the second. Valero like Katsidis also stands at 5’7’’, Valero a southpaw fights with a kill or be killed mentality he also has scary power in both hands and his 21-0 record with 21 knockouts proves just that.

Rather than being thrown to the wolves this early into their careers [much like Fernando Vargas did when he fought Felix Trinidad] why not have Katsidis and Valero fight each other? Sure, Katsidis is roughly 5 pounds bigger but with Valero’s build he should have no problem making the weight.

They say that manifestation can alter one’s vision, well I blinked twice and rubbed my eyes. One thing is for sure these so called myths will one day cross paths and when they do only one myth will be left standing.

Posted by: Albert Alvarez