Duva Sees Bright Future for his “Rated R” #1 Contender

Although his fighter Kendall “Rated R” Holt (22-1, 12 KOs) has already proven himself as one of boxing’s best super lightweights, promoter Dino Duva thinks it may be just the beginning.

“Kendall has now clearly established himself as the top mandatory challenger. The next step will be showing he’s the best 140 pounder in the world. Then he’ll continue on to show he’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing,” said a confidant Duva.

He has reason to be optimistic.

On Friday night at Bally’s Atlantic City, Holt cruised to a comfortable nationally televised 12-round decision over well-respected Mike Arnaoutis. The victory, a WBO Light Welterweight Title eliminator, earned Holt the right to challenge for a world title.
“The WBO has already mandated that the winner of their championship fight on April 28 between Ricardo Torres and Arturo Morua must fight Kendall. Immediately after that bout, I will go into negotiations with Top Rank and arrange Kendall’s first title shot for as soon as possible.”

Overall, Duva sees a very bright future for his New Jersey-based boxer/puncher.

“Kendall is rising rapidly and already nearing the top of boxing. He boxed masterfully against a very game, tough warrior in Mike Arnaoutis and he deserves recognition as one of the sport’s next big stars.”

Another Duva Family fighter scored a televised victory Friday night, as heavyweight Mike Marrone (18-0, 13 KOs) out-hustled Malachy Farrell, winning a majority eight-round decision.

While Duva says he’s pleased the 21-year-old Marrone was able to gut out a win over another undefeated prospect, his performance wasn’t all they had hoped.

“We’re happy that Mike got the win, but we’re looking for him to pick it up considerably in his next fight. We’ll chalk this one up to nerves and continue to build. He’s still very young for a heavyweight.”

Manager and co-trainer Lou Duva agrees. “I thought he would knock this guy out for sure. He had a plane load of fans from Vero Beach at the fight and he tried too hard to impress everybody.

"Gus Curren and I are taking him to the gym and we’re going to get that amateurish bologna out of him. Mike looks terrific in the gym and we’ve got to get him to bring everything he has into the ring with him on fight night.”

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