FORMER world boxing champion Michael Katsidis has a renewed community purpose returning to the ring on Saturday as part of the special Walloon Saloon Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe event.
The former Toowoomba and now Tivoli-based fighter wants to use his life experience and past mistakes to become a “champion of change” and raise funds through his At-Risk Youth and Mental Health movement.
Katsidis is preparing to fight two long-time challengers Jordan Morris and Dwayne Vlody under the lights at Fred Brophy’s Walloon Saloon to raise funds for young mental health and development.
Jordan is a cancer survivor.
Both opponents have been brewing for six years for the opportunity against Katsidis, who is a three-time world champion and Olympian.
However, the fight is one chapter in a much greater Katsidis comeback story.
Katsidis, 44, said after serving time in prison in 2002 and 2003, he wanted to become “a beacon of redemption”.
He has been rallying communities offering to tackle the issues that once nearly broke him.
Katsidis has become a mentor, trainer and advocate for disadvantaged youth, the homeless and people with disabilities.
He has been training Ryan Dempsey, founder of Strive Community Care, who support vulnerable youth.
He is also working with the team at NBHD Gym, using his experiences in discussions how to help transform the lives of young people who have come from juvenile detention or institutional care.
His new campaign started while training Dempsey on his days off.
“Now it’s grown into a powerful grassroots movement which could see a collaboration for youth development programs,” Katsidis said.
“Ultimately, I want to reduce youth crime.”
Katsidis is being backed by a coalition of community identities including Ipswich councillor David Martin, Dave Marshall of Austump and other organisations.
Katsidis has been training people living with a disability who are dealing with personal challenges.
He recently helped a 15-year-old boy transition from juvenile detention to winning a boxing bout.
Katsidis said his message was “Fight for your life, and life will fight for you”.
He fought professionally from 2001-17, winning 33 of his 41 bouts, including his WBO lightweight titles.
