MikeLigalig.com

By Joseph Pimentel
Asian Journal

LOS ANGELES - Sometimes you have to lose before you understand the value of winning.

For World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific Lightweight champion Filipino Augosto Caesar Amonsot, known as the Czar of Bohol, this saying has special significance.

Despite the criticism of being an undisciplined fighter, the blond-dyed-haired Amonsot never lost sight of his ability and is set to prove his critics wrong when he fights for the WBO Interim Lightweight Championship.

The southpaw Amonsot (18-2-1 10 KOs) of Bohol, Philippines will fight defending champion Australian Michael “Rocky” Katsidis (22-0, 20 KOs) in the undercard of the “Coming to Fight” pay per view headlined by Bernard Hopkins vs. Winky Wright at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on July 21.

With an impressive win, the 21-year-old Amonsot is hoping to regain his lost glory and finally silence his critics.

Last September, Amonsot suffered a humiliating one-punch, 47-seconds, first round knockout lost to Simson Butar Butar of Indonesia in front of Amonsot’s hometown fans in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The knockout was a symbolic ending to a tumultuous match.

Before the fight, there were reports of Amonsot being out of shape. ALA Boxing Gym had disciplined Amonsot preventing him from wearing the famed ALA black shorts, a symbol of ALA fighters for discipline, integrity and dedication. He had failed to make weight, weighing in at 135 rather than 130 against Butar Butar. And he was stripped of his WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight title.

After the fight, the once promising Amonsot immediately faced criticism from fans and media about his lackluster performance due to his “undisciplined” lifestyle and lack of dedication to boxing.

The loss made him look at himself closely. It was the second loss of his career and to the same fighter.

“There are so many important things [I learned] about myself,” said Amonsot outside the Wild Card Gym on June 21. “I had to discipline myself. No more drinking, no more smoking.”

Boxing trainer Edito Villamor of the ALA Boxing said he thinks Amonsot learned his lesson and expects big things from now on from here on out.

“He lost [against Butar Butar] because he’s undisciplined but now he’s learned that boxing is more important [it’s] about sacrifice and discipline. Now, he trains and focus on the fight and wants this fight,” said Villamor.

Earlier this year, Amonsot rebounded from the loss against Butar Butar. He regained his title with a split decision win against Korean Da Woon Jung in Korea.

But on July, Amonsot will make his third appearance in Las Vegas to face his toughest battle against the 26-year-old Katsidis. Katsidis was slated to make his American debut in Anaheim fighting unbeaten Joan Guzman before Guzman pulled out from an injury suffered while training.

Katsidis is a brawler - an unbeaten, hard-punching knockout artist, and self-describing “gladiator,” who often walks in the boxing ring wearing a Spartan mask. One could easily mistake him for a soldier in the movie 300. Katsidis represented Australia in the 2000 Olympics, and before turning pro in 2001, racked up an amateur record of 75 wins to six losses.

When asked about what he expects of the July 21 fight, Katsidis said:

“It is what it is,” said Katsidis, sporting a shiner under his right eye at the Wild Card Gym on June 21. “I’m defending my world title. This is the most important fight of my life. This is my [US] debut and I’m going to make a big impression.”

Katsidis didn’t delve into any specifics regarding his approach against Amonsot.

“I don’t know much about the fighter,” he said. “I usually work on myself and come ready for the fight that night.”

Brendon Smith, the manager and trainer of Katsidis, offered a different view about the fight.

“We’re giving him [Amonsot] a lot of respect… we’re treating this fight very seriously. He [Amonsot] is a good young prospect and this is going to be a very good fight.”

Golden Boy Promotions President and renowned boxer Oscar De La Hoya chimed in on the battle between Katsidis and Amonsot.

“I’m so excited,” said De La Hoya. “I can go back with Czar many fights ago, he has a tremendous heart. It’s going to be a battle until the end.”

De La Hoya said he expects an action-packed bout since both fighters like to keep the pace of the fight moving forward.

“People are going to be in awe on who they think the winner might be,” he said.

Asked if he has prediction for the fight, De La Hoya said:

“It’s really difficult to say. Both guys come forward. I think Czar has the better chin and that might be the difference. If Czar can connect against Katsidis…if he can connect and finish him, Czar can knock him out.”

“Katsidis is a fighter that’s going to come at you,” De La Hoya added. “He’s a brawler and fighter.”

De La Hoya said experience might be the key to win the fight.

“They just need to know how to use it.” (www.asianjournal.com)

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