Boxer Katsidis loses on split decision

Australian boxer Michael Katsidis has suffered a split decision points loss to American Juan Diaz in their fight for the vacant IBO lightweight world title in Houston, Texas.

A brave and bloody Katsidis was ahead on one of the judge's scorecards but behind on two.

He was cut under his left eyebrow in the second round and under his right eye from the fifth.

Houston native Diaz, who lost this three world title belts to compatriot Nate Campbell earlier this year, appeared to dominate the middle round.

The 28-year-old Queenslander got his second wind in the closing stages and landed plenty of punches during some furious toe-to-toe exchanges in the last round.

"I thought I won," Katsidis said.

"It's controversial but that's boxing, you can't take it to heart ... I did my best."

Katsidis' record dropped to 23-2 following successive losses to Joel Casamayor and Diaz.

The tough Australian suggested he wasn't interested in fighting easier opposition despite his two recent reverses.

"No ... either go hard or go home," Katsidis said.

Diaz, 24, improved his career record to 34-1.