Michael Katsidis' world-title bout in Las Vegas is on hold indefinitely to allow the Australian boxing champion to grieve his brother's sudden death, his US promoter confirmed.
Katsidis was training in Thailand at a Muay Thai fight camp to prepare for the much-anticipated November 27 slugfest with Mexican world titleholder Juan Manuel Marquez at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Casino when word came through his brother, elite Australian jockey Stathi Katsidis, had died.
"Our concern is for Michael as a person, rather than boxing," David Itskowitch, an executive at Oscar De La Hoya's Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions, told AAP.Advertisement: Story continues below "We want him to be OK and I don't know if he can be OK because he just lost his brother."
Itskowitch said he immediately called the 30-year-old Toowoomba-born fighter in Thailand to pass on his condolences and spoke to the boxer's longtime Australian trainer, Brendon Smith.
"It was basically straight after they found out," Itskowitch said.
"Right now our concern is for Michael. Our concern is not for the fight.
"His well being is what is important."
If Katsidis decides he wants to go on to fight Marquez for the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation lightweight title belts, Golden Boy will support him, but Itskowitch says there is absolutely no pressure on Katsidis.
"When I spoke to Brendon last night I didn't say the word 'fight'," he said.
Marquez, who lost a split points decision to Manny Pacquiao two years ago, also sent his best wishes to Katsidis.
"Our condolences to Michael Katsidis and his family. Let's all pray for his brother's soul," Marquez wrote in a Twitter message.
Stathi Katsidis, 31, was found dead in his Brisbane home on Tuesday. Police have ruled out suicide and say there are no suspicious circumstances, although he did have a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
An autopsy will be held.
© 2010 AAP
Source: news.smh.com.au
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