Written by Michael Katsidis - Published on September 19, 2024 | 11:53 am EDT
Written by Michael Katsidis - Published on September 19, 2024 | 11:53 am EDT
Growing up in Toowoomba, Australia, I wasn’t the kid you’d expect to become a world champion.
I remember the day clearly after watching the movie Rocky—it lit a fire in me for the first time.
The problem was, that I was scared to throw a punch, but I had the determination to overcome my fears and become the best boxer I could be.
(That’s me with Walley Lewis 👇)
It wasn’t an easy path. I wasn’t born into wealth or given any special opportunities.
What I had was a relentless drive to succeed, a passion for the sport, and an extraordinary will to keep fighting, no matter what came my way.
My brother and best friend, Stathi Katsidis, and I pushed each other as kids to be the best we could be in our chosen dreams.
He wanted to be a champion jockey, and I wanted to conquer the ring.
At 21, I had already achieved something most only dream of—I was an Olympian at the 2000 Sydney Games, sharing the stage with legends like Daniel Geale and Danny Green.
Not long after, I became the Australian Lightweight Champion after just two professional fights.
But with fame came attention—and not all of it good.
From Glory to Setbacks
I tasted success early, but I was still young and making poor decisions.
By 21, I found myself in court for assault.
To focus on my career and leave my mistakes behind, I left Australia, living on gym floors, broke but determined to achieve my dreams.
In 2007, after years of hard work and sacrifice, I fought in packed stadiums—Wembley in England, Las Vegas in the USA—and remained undefeated.
On that day, in front of 10,000 booing English fans, I faced Graeme Earl in a fight that later became known as the "Round of the Decade."
When my hand was raised, I felt the best feeling in the world—I was a World Champion.
But the fame, the money, and the spotlight were a double-edged sword.
I didn’t have the self-awareness to realize that, while I was winning in the ring, I was losing balance in life.
I was an all-out attack, both in boxing and in life. That worked until it didn’t.
The Turning Point: Loss and Reflection
Three weeks before the biggest fight of my life, a fight that would determine if I’d face Manny Pacquiao or Mayweather, I was in training camp in Thailand. My brother Stathi was riding the favourite in the Melbourne Cup.
Then I got the call.
“Michael, don’t check your phone and come to the gym,” my trainer Brendan Smith said. My brother, my best friend, had passed away.
I still took the fight against Marquez and shocked the world when I knocked him down. But in the end, I lost. I went from doing it for both of us to feeling hollow inside. My focus slipped, and my training became unbalanced. I slid to a 1-4 record in the ring.
I hit rock bottom.
When you’re an athlete, the public sees everything. The media trolls, the shame of losing, the feeling of letting my family down—it was relentless.
I even found myself in jail again.
The Comeback and the Mission to Give Back
But here’s what I learned: when you hit your lowest point, that’s when you find your true strength.
I rebuilt my life, both in and out of the ring. I surrounded myself with trusted people like my trainer Brendan Smith, and learned the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and mental toughness.
I didn’t just make a comeback in boxing; I made a comeback in life. And now, my focus is on helping others do the same.
These days, I’m all about using my journey—the highs and the brutal lows—to help others unlock their potential.
Whether it’s in the gym, the boardroom, or in life, I’m here to show you that resilience isn’t just about getting up one more time—it’s about knowing that every setback is fuel for your greatest comeback.
Here’s what I’m up to now:
Why I Do It
I know what it feels like to lose everything—your purpose, your focus, your drive. And I also know what it takes to build it back.
That’s why I’m passionate about helping others push past their limits, overcome their fears, and discover what they’re truly capable of.
If you’re ready to take that journey, I’m here to help. As I always said to myself, "Don’t die wondering."
Let’s get to work.
Ready to start your own transformation?
Growing up in Toowoomba, Australia, I wasn’t the kid you’d expect to become a world champion.
I remember the day clearly after watching the movie Rocky—it lit a fire in me for the first time.
The problem was, that I was scared to throw a punch, but I had the determination to overcome my fears and become the best boxer I could be.
(That’s me with Walley Lewis 👇)
It wasn’t an easy path. I wasn’t born into wealth or given any special opportunities.
What I had was a relentless drive to succeed, a passion for the sport, and an extraordinary will to keep fighting, no matter what came my way.
My brother and best friend, Stathi Katsidis, and I pushed each other as kids to be the best we could be in our chosen dreams.
He wanted to be a champion jockey, and I wanted to conquer the ring.
At 21, I had already achieved something most only dream of—I was an Olympian at the 2000 Sydney Games, sharing the stage with legends like Daniel Geale and Danny Green.
Not long after, I became the Australian Lightweight Champion after just two professional fights.
But with fame came attention—and not all of it good.
From Glory to Setbacks
I tasted success early, but I was still young and making poor decisions.
By 21, I found myself in court for assault.
To focus on my career and leave my mistakes behind, I left Australia, living on gym floors, broke but determined to achieve my dreams.
In 2007, after years of hard work and sacrifice, I fought in packed stadiums—Wembley in England, Las Vegas in the USA—and remained undefeated.
On that day, in front of 10,000 booing English fans, I faced Graeme Earl in a fight that later became known as the "Round of the Decade."
When my hand was raised, I felt the best feeling in the world—I was a World Champion.
But the fame, the money, and the spotlight were a double-edged sword.
I didn’t have the self-awareness to realize that, while I was winning in the ring, I was losing balance in life.
I was an all-out attack, both in boxing and in life. That worked until it didn’t.
The Turning Point: Loss and Reflection
Three weeks before the biggest fight of my life, a fight that would determine if I’d face Manny Pacquiao or Mayweather, I was in training camp in Thailand. My brother Stathi was riding the favourite in the Melbourne Cup.
Then I got the call.
“Michael, don’t check your phone and come to the gym,” my trainer Brendan Smith said. My brother, my best friend, had passed away.
I still took the fight against Marquez and shocked the world when I knocked him down. But in the end, I lost. I went from doing it for both of us to feeling hollow inside. My focus slipped, and my training became unbalanced. I slid to a 1-4 record in the ring.
I hit rock bottom.
When you’re an athlete, the public sees everything. The media trolls, the shame of losing, the feeling of letting my family down—it was relentless.
I even found myself in jail again.
The Comeback and the Mission to Give Back
But here’s what I learned: when you hit your lowest point, that’s when you find your true strength.
I rebuilt my life, both in and out of the ring. I surrounded myself with trusted people like my trainer Brendan Smith, and learned the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and mental toughness.
I didn’t just make a comeback in boxing; I made a comeback in life. And now, my focus is on helping others do the same.
These days, I’m all about using my journey—the highs and the brutal lows—to help others unlock their potential.
Whether it’s in the gym, the boardroom, or in life, I’m here to show you that resilience isn’t just about getting up one more time—it’s about knowing that every setback is fuel for your greatest comeback.
Here’s what I’m up to now:
Why I Do It
I know what it feels like to lose everything—your purpose, your focus, your drive. And I also know what it takes to build it back.
That’s why I’m passionate about helping others push past their limits, overcome their fears, and discover what they’re truly capable of.
If you’re ready to take that journey, I’m here to help. As I always said to myself, "Don’t die wondering."
Let’s get to work.
Ready to start your own transformation?
