Katsidis, Ramirez in 'War' tonight

Cebu - After two failed title bids in 2008, Australian ring punisher Michael “The Great” Katsidis (23-2-, 20KOs) hopes to rechart his career path and make a brand new start as he battles Argentina-born Spaniard Angel Hugo “El Tren” Ramirez (19-4-2, 8KOs) in a 12-round brawl for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight title topbilling tonight’s hotly-anticipated “WAR” slugfest at the Cebu Coliseum.

Highly-respected event promoter Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani advised all fans who are going to watch the slambang card to come early as the Katsidis-Ramirez battle will be done at 7 pm sharp. Gates will be opened at 4 pm as the bouts promptly start at 5 pm.

Katsidis campaigned twice for the interim WBO lightweight title last year in the United States, but lost both by 10th round TKO to Joel Casamayor and by split verdict Juan Diaz.

Against Ramirez, Katsidis seeks no less than redemption with hopes of getting another world title shot.

“I’m fit and ready for this fight,” declared Katsidis adding that Ramirez must brace for one big war. “It’s going to be a war out there.”

Ramirez, who openly said the Philippines has a special place in his heart, is best remembered by the Filipinos for narrowly beating ALA Stable standout Czar Amonsot in their bloody and brutal bout for the interim WBO lightweight crown in July 2007 that nearly ended their fistic careers.

Showing a certain measure of respect for the courage of the Filipino fighters, Katsidis volunteered to be the team captain of Philippines during the World Cup two years ago in Sacramento, California.

“I really love to come to the Philippines. It’s really a dream come true for me to fight here,” said Katsidis.

Unbeaten world title contenders Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales, Anthony “Rocky” Marcial, and Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona are set to spice up the first ever quadruple championship show in the history of Cebu boxing.

Morales (12-0, 8KOs) will defend his WBO Oriental junior featherweight belt against Pichitchoke Singmanasak (14-7, 8KOs), Marcial (11-0, 10KOs) will risk his WBO Oriental junior lightweight crown on the line against Vacharakrit Senayan (11-0, 7KOs), while Sonsona (10-0, 9KOs) will stake his WBO Asia-Pacific Youth flyweight plum against Liempetch Sor Veerapol (12-4, 8KOs).

The rest of card bankrolled by SGG Sports Promotions in partnership with giant TV network ABS-CBN, Ringstar Promotions, the city government of Cebu, and Marriott Hotel pits Rolando Magallano of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental versus Kevin de la Cruz and Marvin Mabait of Zamboanga City opposite Marco Demicillo.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P1,000 for VIP/Sponsor, P500 for ringside, P250 for lower box, P150 for upperbox, and P100 for general admission. —EBV (THE FREEMAN)