Goldenboy wins Diaz – Katsidis purse bid

28.11.07 - Andrew Wake: It seems that Aussie banger Michael Katsidis is due to face lightweight top dog Juan Diaz in early 2008. After a meeting today at the World Boxing Organisation’s headquarters in Puerto Rico, it was announced that Oscar De La Hoya’s Goldenboy promotions have secured the rights to stage this exciting match up.

The winning purse bid, which was handed directly by Oscar De La Hoya to WBO president Francisco Valcarcel, amounts to $1.5 million dollars and will be split 80/20 with Diaz receiving $1.2m and Katsidis the remaining $300,000.

At this time it appears the preferred fight venue is in Houston, Texas, but no provisional date as been set. The WBO have, however, stated that the fight must take place on or before February 27th 2008. They have also stated that if Diaz, who is promoted by one of the losing bidders, Don King, fails to sign for the fight then he will be stripped and interim belt holder Katsidis will be made the organisation’s full champion.

Further details can be read at the WBO’s official site www.wbo-int.com