By Francisco Salazar
Former two-time world lightweight title holder Michael Katsidis will take on unbeaten and hard-hitting lightweight contender Darley Perez on August 10th, Thompson Boxing Promotions General Manager Alex Camponovo told Fightnews.com on Monday afternoon. The bout will take place at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, CA and will air on ESPN2′s Friday Night Fights.
Canponovo stated that Katsidis will drop down to the lightweight limit to face Perez. Katsidis last fought on April 13th, losing a close 10 round majority decision to Albert Mensah at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. That bout was fought at 140 pounds.
The Australian-born Katsidis, (28-6, 23 KOs) who now resides in the Los Angeles-area, has lost four out of his last five bouts in a row, but is still considered a dangerous puncher. He has aligned himself with trainer Justin Fortune.
Katsidis last won on August 13th, stopping Mexican Michael Lozada in the third round of a scheduled 10 round bout.
In his last bout on April 6th, Perez (25-0, 19 KOs) knocked out Alain Hernandez in the second round in a scheduled eight round bout at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA.
The Colombian-born Perez, who is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, is ranked in the top 10 in three of the major sanctioning bodies.
His most impressive victory to date was stopping fringe contender Oscar Meza after the sixth round on Spetember 30th.
