Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya has assured Australia's Michael Katsidis he will get a fair shake from the all-American panel of officials against local Houston fighter Juan Diaz in their IBO lightweight title fight.
The list of officials included two of Diaz's fellow Texans, among them referee Laurence Cole, who was suspended earlier this year.
Cole, who previously refereed Australians Danny Green and Paul Briggs, was suspended and fined after he told a fighter that he was ahead on the score cards during a fight last November.
Katsidis's trainer and manager Brendon Smith said at today's pre-fight press conference that he had no qualms about the panel of officials.
"I don't know these people, so it's not my place to judge them," Smith said of the appointed officials.
"They will be judged by the boxing fraternity and the millions of HBO viewers on Saturday night."
Diaz is affiliated with Golden Boy Promotions, the company run by multi-world title winner de la Hoya.
After Smith addressed the media, promoter de la Hoya also backed the integrity of the appointed officials.
"de la Hoya responded immediately after me and confirmed that there would be no problems in house, that they were very fair promoters and that the Texas Commission are a very fair group," Smith told AAP from Houston.
"He (de la Hoya) said it would be a fair fight."
Diaz, 24, (33-1, 17KOs) is more accustomed to going the distance than renowned power-puncher Katsidis 28, (23-1-1, 20KOs).
The two men will be fighting for the vacant title.
Smith said Katsidis had learnt lessons from his last fight earlier this year, when he was stopped by Cuban legend Joel Casamayor after appearing to dominate the bout.
Katsidis, who was knocked down in the first round, appeared to be controlling the fight, but was stopped late in the contest after leaving himself open as he went for the kill.
"What he did learn was when you are on top, to show a little more composure," Smith said.
He stressed Katsidis now knew the value of waiting until late in the count before getting to his feet, rather than trying to stand up straightaway on wobbly legs following a knock down.
The Toowoomba born-and-bred fighter was very focused according to Smith who said his charge was also had a hungry attitude.
He was expecting the toughest fight of his career, against an opponent who earlier this year held three of the four major lightweight world titles, before losing them to compatriot Nate Campbell.
