Torres Vs Holt… Again
By Moncayo Blackbull Photo:Chris Farina - Top Rank (click on picture for larger view)
June 2, 2008 - This weekend we will get to see if Kendall Holt can back up his excuses.
On September 1, 2007 Holt traveled to Barranquilla,
Colombia to battle Ricardo Torres. Holt’s challenge fell short of victory when
Torres stopped him in the 11th round. Since this fight Holt has hollered
and complained on how he was mistreated and robbed of victory by the Officials
in
Columbia. We heard everything from Ice to bottles being thrown at him as the
reason he lost.
Reports leading up to this rematch seem to focus on controversy, when in fact the only controversy came from the losing camp. Most fans outside of Columbia only heard the crying words coming from team Holt. Obviously, the blow that sent Holt in retreat was not a factor in the referee stopping the fight. Obviously, Holt being on wobbly legs and in la-la land did not play any part in Torres’ victory. All we heard and continue to hear is how Holt was robbed.
If I remember correctly, wasn’t Holt complaining before the fight about how he was not being treated right by his promoter? Get the picture.
Holt will get his chance to revenge his loss to Torres this Saturday, July 5, live on SHOWTIME and he won’t have to travel to Columbia. The contest will take place in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood hotel. If you are planning to tune in, don’t count on any additional excitement, the co-main event will pair undefeated Lamont Peterson (24-0) against Rogelio Castaneda, 24 wins, 13 losses. This contest is a mere “pad my record” for Peterson and has no business whatsoever on national TV.
The Torres - Holt rematch is made possible by Torres, the WBO rejected a request to mandate an immediate rematch. After reviewing the tape, the stoppage was justified, no controversy. Torres elected to take the fight in Las Vegas. I’m sure the money had a lot to do with his decision but none-the-less, Torres made it happen. Now the burden lies on the shoulders of Holt, to prove to the world he is the better fighter.
“I don't remember the first fight being controversial at all. I beat Holt fair and square, and I moved on. Now, this is the next fight and I believe it should be even better. We know each other better. We should be able to know what each other can do. That's what gives me the confidence that I have”. Said Torres
Make no mistake, Torres understands the significance of beating Holt again, the value of victory in the U.S. will lead to a much larger financial package for the Columbian, there will be no short fall of fighting on the part of Torres. On the other hand, if Holt thinks the American officials will give him an advantage, then he may have lost the fight before it begins. Holt will have to draw up some offensive skills because running and doing the bicycle act will not be enough to win this contest.
“I just remember me not doing enough. I just remember me not being active enough. I believe I was winning the fight. I believe the fight was stopped early. I believe that in this rematch I prepared myself better than I did before. I believe I'm going to be a lot more active in this fight, and I believe this time I'll walk away with a WBO championship”. Said Holt
Come Saturday, Holt will have to stop believing, stop excusing and start creating a real platform to lead his boxing career.
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