Marquez Vs. Katsidis: 10 Things You Need to Know About the Lightweight Fight

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This weekend we get a fight that will be nonstop action and has a very good chance of winning Fight of The Year.

I of course speak of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis fight that takes place this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Les Vegas, Nevada.

If you are any kind of boxing fan you know that this is a can't miss fight and is going to produce some fireworks. This fight is one that many people have been wanting to see and it is finally here.

These are the 10 things you need to know heading into the fight this Saturday.

#10: This Is for the Legitimate Lightweight Title

Marquez is the lineal world title holder as well as the WBA super and WBO champion. If you don't care about the WBA or WBO title that's fine, but you have to respect the lineal title.

The winner of this fight is the man at lightweight no matter what fighter says otherwise.

#9: These Are the Two Best Lightweights in the World Today

This ties in with the first one slide because no matter what another fighter says these are the two best lightweights in the world today.

If you don't care about any titles at all you should tune in because you are watching the two best lightweight fighters do there thing.

Some people may back Humberto Soto but you can't really make an argument for him anymore. Marquez has beaten the best lightweights out there and Katsidis has a pretty good resume himself.

The winner of this fight, regardless of titles, can call himself the best lightweight in the world.

#8: This Can't Be a Boring Fight

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Katsidis and Marquez are blood and guts warriors who will fight until they can't move a muscle anymore. They have both proven this time and time again.

Katsidis is a straight-ahead fighter who lives off aggression while Marquez is a counter puncher who lives off fighters that come to him.

They have styles that should mesh perfectly and they both have the power to hurt the other fighter at any moment.

I will repeat it one more time, there is no way this fight can be a letdown.

#7: Katsidis Will Spill Some Blood

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Katsidis cuts easily and he doesn't really like defense so cuts are usually a part of his fights. He is going to get cut at some point by the counter punching of Marquez.

He is used to fighting with cuts and unless it is a really bad one it shouldn't bother him. You should also know that a little blood isn't going to stop Katsidis from coming forward and throwing bombs.

#6: Katsidis Has More Power but..

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Katsidis has great power and can turn a fight around at any moment with it. He has 22 knockouts in his 27 wins and brings a lot of power to the table.

His power is very good, but Marquez isn't far behind in that department. He has a different kind of power though. Katsidis has a thudding, heavy power while Marquez has a sharper punch.

Either fighter can turn the fight with one punch but Katsidis has the better chance of doing so.

#5: Marquez Is the Faster Fighter

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The but in the last slide refers to this slide. Katsidis may hold a slight power advantage, but Marquez holds a big hand speed advantage.

Katsidis will never be known as a fast fighter and that isn't part of his style but it could limit his chances of winning this Saturday.

Marquez will have to use his speed advantage if he wants to get the win.

#4: Katsidis Has the Worst Defense of Any Top Level Fighter

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Katsidis doesn't bother with defense and the only time he did it was in a dreadful loss to Juan Diaz. Since then he has gone back to his all action style and never looked back.

This may be the biggest problem for Katsidis come Saturday because Marquez is a pinpoint counter puncher who is going to land a lot of shots on Katsidis.

His defense won't be tight so his chin better be up to the task.

#3: Neither Fighter Is Going To Stay Down Very Easily

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Both fighters have been to the canvas before but it is very hard to keep them there. They are both warriors and it is going to take a lot for either one of them to get knocked out.

You can make the argument that they are the two toughest guys in boxing right now. It is going to take a hell of a punch to end one of their nights.

#2: Katsidis Is the Physically Stronger Man

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The best chance for Katsidis is to lean on Marquez all night, use his strength, and pressure effectively. If he does that he may be able to break down the 37-year-old Marquez.

That won't be an easy task, but Katsidis rarely wins a fight easily so it may be something that he is up for. If he does use his strength effectively he may be able to get a knockout.

#1: Marquez Is Much More Skilled

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Marquez may not be the younger or stronger of the two but he has the better skills by a mile. If he can get through the rough parts of the fight or get a cut open early he may be able to cruise to a decision.

He is a counter puncher with fast hands and good power while Katsidis is a big puncher that comes at you and throws with bad intentions.

It is pretty obvious that Marquez is the more skilled of the two. Usually I side with the more skilled of the two but I can't do that here.

Katsidis usually isn't the more skilled fighter, but he has 27 wins and only two losses. He is a special kind of fighter and you would have to be crazy not to tune in this Saturday.