Tragic spiral of ex-boxing champion caught up in drug cartel after brother died
Michael Alan Katsidis was within the knockout enterprise however nothing might put together him for the devastating blow that modified his life.
As a prime stage boxer who competed for Australia within the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and received the WBO interim light-weight championship in 2007, he discovered methods to take in any blow to his physique. Yet, his life fell aside when his older brother and former skilled jockey Stathi Katsidi died in 2010 following a 15 hour medicine and alcohol session.
It was the tragic domino starting a terrifying spiral ending with Katsidis receiving a five-year suspended sentence. Daily Star Sport takes you thru some of the tragic tales in boxing.
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On February 8, Katsidis pled responsible to at least one rely of drug trafficking after standing trial for being a part of a ‘subtle’ drug syndicate between December 2021 and March 2022.
The courtroom heard he had direct entry to a protected containing medicine and money on the time of his arrest. In addition, a police raid at a home the ex-boxer was believed to be staying at between two and 5 nights per week discovered 8.13g of cocaine in addition to $42,850 (£22,261) in money.
His defence barrister, Wayne Tolton, linked his descent into the drug commerce with the dying of his brother. “Christmas 2021 is when he started going to Brisbane regularly and became involved in this group of people who were already an established drug trafficking enterprise,” Mr Tolton stated.
What is your response to Michael Alan Katsidis’ story? Let us know within the remark part beneath
(Image: Getty Images)
Luke Littler darts followers can again ‘The Nuke’ in Premier League together with his taking part in shirt
Luke Littler followers can now purchase the 17-year-old’s taking part in shirt to help him as he continues to show his expertise within the Premier League.
The darts sensation was solely 16 when he wowed Alexandra Palace on the World Darts Championship (WDC), regardless of a ultimate loss to Luke Humphries.
The Nuke will proceed taking part in towards seven of the very best dart gamers on the earth — Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross and Peter Wright — in a mini-tournament in a distinct metropolis each Thursday till the ultimate in May.
“He wasn’t instrumental in any way in the creation of that entity or involved in the organisation of that entity. He wasn’t an employee as some of the other people were.
“At all times he was drug addicted and drug affected but he never made a single dollar from being involved in the enterprise and from my instructions the only thing he ever received out of it was drugs.”
However, Justice Catherine Muir was nonetheless not keen to miss his contribution to the drug syndicate. “This is extremely serious offending committed by you as a mature man,” Justice Muir stated.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
“Drugs destroy lives, not only of those the people who use them but also the people they surround. By your actions you fed into the scourge of drugs in society, a society your four children are going to grow up in.
“I expect I don’t need to lecture you further given all the material I’ve seen before me … you have had a drug addiction since 2010 when your brother passed away.
“You have been a man who has experienced the highs and lows of life. You were an Olympian boxer who represented your country and you have been champion of the world in boxing. But against that you’ve experienced the lows of a lengthy period of imprisonment.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Initially, the Crown beneficial a jail sentence of 4 years and 6 months, however Justice Muir deemed this to be extreme. She stated: “You in the 22 months in jail have undertaken nearly every available course of drug rehabilitation. You’ve also worked in the prison and been a meaningful member of the prison community,” she stated throughout her ruling on Thursday.
“(The Crown’s submission) doesn’t take into account the significant amount of rehabilitation. In my view, it’s not the case that making you eligible (for parole) will serve you in any way or serve the community in any way.
“I accept you’re a high-profile person because of your sporting achievements and you will be an easy target and be able to stay away from those influences.”
