Four months ago, I was fearful the next thing written about Michael Katz would be his obituary. Instead, it’s his induction into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Talk about ultimate comebacks!

"For a long time I thought I would refuse the honor, but I mellowed," said Katz when reached at his home in Las Vegas. "I never liked being around (Bob) Arum, (Jose) Sulaiman or (Don) King, but looking back over the years I realize they gave me some of my best columns."

Katz, began his Hall of Fame career as a writer in New York for the Post, Daily News and Times during different periods. He was assigned to Paris for a number of years, eventually moving back to the States and signing up as a contributing boxing columnist for GamingToday. His last article appeared Jan. 31, 2011 after which he retired due to health problems.

Michael is not an easy man to get to know, but deep down he is incredibly knowledgeable in all fields and will not back down to anyone. In fact, he’s had several famed altercations with members of the media during major fights in Las Vegas that received more press than the actual main event.

Ironically, the biggest moment in his esteemed boxing career came, he said, at a fight he did not cover.

"Ali-Frazier I," Katz said. "I was in Paris at the time and the Times bureau in London found me a closed circuit TV showing of the fight. So, being a crazy Ali fan, I flew to London. I knew I could make money on Frazier, but I couldn’t bet against my man."

To this day Katz believes boxing is the most thrilling of all events in sports for a writer to cover.

"When I covered the first Hearns-Leonard fight, it was like I was in the ring myself," he said. "I could barely stand. The same feeling I had after Ali-Frazier I. It’s better than the Super Bowl or the World Series. No sport has the characters, trainers, writers or promoters that boxing does. That’s why I liked boxing as a kid and the reason I covered it all these years."

Katz said he was especially glad to be in a Hall of Fame Class of 2012 that includes Hearns and trainer Freddie Roach.

 "It really is an honor," he said. "Attending boxing matches wasn’t like going to work. There were a lot of great fighters then as there are now, just that there aren’t any heavyweights. Boxing isn’t any prettier now than it was back then. But I always watch it."

Michael would always stand out in press row, often wearing a beret above a neck brace and carrying a cane (due to longstanding issues). But make no mistake, this was a tough guy who is currently conquering the greatest obstacle in his life.

"I was in the hospital for six weeks and spent six more in a nursing home," he said. "I was put in a coma to deal with a brain operation that, thankfully, turned out well. Everything was benign. I had repercussions such as diabetes, kidney and blood sugar problems. I remember being asked who was president and I said Hillary. I thought my daughter (Moorea) was 32 instead of 29."

Katz also had dialysis and lost 70 pounds. But, he’s coming back off the canvas. His voice is stronger, he has gained 40 of those pounds back and was able to celebrate his 72^nd birthday at home last week.

It was there he received the call naming him to the Hall.

"I look forward to the induction weekend (the 23rd Annual, scheduled for June 7-10 in Canastota, N.Y.)," he said. "I was depressed when I got home and to get the call a day later was unbelievable."

The complete 2012 class aside from Katz, Hearns and Roach includes two-division champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, ring announcer Michael Buffer and broadcaster Al Bernstein, also with Las Vegas ties. Elected posthumously are Cocoa Kid, Newsboy Brown, Leo Houck and Jake Kilrain in the Old-Timer Category; promoters Hugh D. McIntosh and Rip Valenti in the Non Participant Category; and James Wharton (Young Molineaux) in the Pioneer Category.

"I hope one day I will wind up in Paris," Katz said."Right now I am in Las Vegas for a while and have to change all my eating habits."

But the count of cholesterol sure beats 10 bells.