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Ten months after a wildly controversial ending to their first fight, Ricardo Torres will risk his WBO Junior Welterweight title against No. 1 contender Kendall Holt in a rematch on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation this Saturday, July 5, live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT and delayed on the west coast.
The ShoBox team weighs-in on what to expect in this highly anticipated rematch. Plus 22 boxing journalists nearly split on their predictions for the winner.
Steve Farhood: ShoBox Analyst and Boxing Historian
“While I figure this rematch to be something of a chess match, Torres has been floored in the three biggest fights of his career, and he’s scored knockdowns of his own in two of those bouts. Meanwhile, Holt has been down six times in his career and has one-punch power, as Torres discovered in Colombia . In other words, the only thing that’s predictable is the unpredictable. If Holt goes for it, I like his chances. If Holt fights tentatively, Torres will keep the title.”
Nick Charles: ShoBox Host and Play-by-Play announcer
“It’s hard to separate their talents and make a case for either guy winning. I hope that Holt will be more pro-active and Torres will show us more sustained effective aggression. A title is on the line and winning is paramount. Being exciting is incidental. I’m a fan of both these fine punchers. Torres can lead and Holt can answer. Having the fight in the U.S. can only be a positive for the American, while having a full camp—rather than short notice as was the case in the first fight—helps Torres. Bottom line: let’s hope for fireworks on the 5th of July.”
Gordon Hall: ShoBox Executive Producer
“Through three fights on ShoBox – a knockout win over David Diaz and impressive decision wins over Isaac Hlatschwayo and Mike Arnaoutis – Kendall Holt truly earned his first world title shot against Torres last year, and he almost got his hands on that championship belt as he was ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards going into the 11th. It is not often that you get second chances in boxing, and Holt has to take advantage of it.
“Now, Holt returns to ShoBox to attempt to avenge his loss.
“I will look for him to be much more aggressive in this fight, using his trademark counterpunching and getting off the right hand more. If he is tentative, Torres will smell blood and finish him.”
So who will triumph in the heated rematch? Of the 22 boxing media writers who participated in a SHOWTIME Prediction Poll, 12 picked Torres to successfully defend his title while the remaining 10 believe Holt will dethrone the champion.
Here’s how they see the world championship rematch, presented by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., on SHOWTIME from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas , Nev.
Daxx Kahn – SaddoBoxing.com
“Ricardo Torres vs. Kendall Holt 2 will be exciting for several reasons. First being the WBO 140lb title is at stake, second is this bout is a pick em. On one side we have Ricardo Torres the champion and winner of the first meeting between the two, and on the other Kendall Holt the man with the better resume. I am looking for Holt to control the bout and set the pace he feels comfortable at.
The champion will be comfortable allowing Holt to control the bout. In fact, I think Torres would rather have Holt dictate the early going of the bout knowing, as rounds pass, Holt will gain more confidence. As the fight reaches the 7th or 8th round Torres will start to impose his will and, with the early lead and extra confidence Holt has built up, Kendall will allow himself to step into Torres game and overlook the power of the champion. Look for Holt to be counted out around the 10th round and “Mochuelo” to go home with his title and 33rd win”
Jane Warburton – SaddoBoxing.com
“This is a difficult fight to call. In their first encounter, Torres came back quickly from the sixth round knockdown administered by Holt. In round eleven, Holt spent much of his time running away from Torres, difficult to do on an apparently slippery floor, and did not recover sufficiently from Torres’s skimming left hook that dropped him. Both men will come out blazing in the rematch, but I expect the bigger-punching Torres to win by a late round stoppage.”
Keith Idec: Herald News ( West Paterson , N.J. )/The Record ( Hackensack , N.J. )
“Torres’ toughness, determination and power will make it interesting, but Holt’s hand speed and increased aggression should be the differences in their rematch. Kendall Holt by eighth-round TKO.”
Sharon Robb – South Florida Sun-Sentinel Boxing/MMA Columnist
“Ricardo Torres did it once and he will do it again only hopefully sooner with a sixth round TKO. He is better prepared this time around and after all the “controversial fight” talk crap he wants to make a statement.
Bernard Aguinaldo – PA SportsTicker
“Holt will avenge his controversial loss to Torres. The outcome will go Holt’s way Saturday night in Las Vegas . Kendall Holt – unanimous decision.”
Michael Woods – ESPN The Magazine
“When he’s on, Holt is a damned talented boxer. He is more talented than Torres, to put it simply. Holt has ample motivation to bring his “A” game with him, so I expect him to thoroughly outbox Torres, in route to a comfortable UD12.”
Dan Hernandez – RingSideReport.com
“I believe Torres will win out. The ending of the last fight was controversial, however, the fight seemed to have been heading towards a Torres victory. If Holt fights aggressively, Torres could win by knockout. Otherwise a decisive victory should be recorded.”
Henry Bedoy – Boxingstars.net
“There will be no doubt this time, Kendall Holt will stop Ricardo Torres by late stoppage.”
Ed Ludwig – BraggingRightsCorner.com
“This time around on neutral ground, the chaos from Ricardo Torres and Kendall Holt’s fight last September should have no lingering effects leading into the much anticipated rematch. Both fighters made valid claims for what went down but now it’s time for the fists to do the talking and leave the rest behind. With that being said, this will be a back and forth battle between two fighters who both feel they have something to prove.
Torres needs to show that his win over Holt was not a gift and Holt needs to show that he is a legitimate contender. Both are hungry, but in the end Torres’ overwhelming power will be the difference. TKO victory for Torres in round seven.”
Rusty Rubin – RingSports.com
“Holt is a solid fighter with a lot to prove in this rematch. But, Torres is at the top of his game. It should be a close and exciting fight with the edge to Torres via decision.”
William Trillo – Pound4Pound.com
“I am expecting a really nice tussle as both fighters truly have an axe to grind with each other. The first fight was wild as we all know and I think the action in the ring this time will be just as fiery. Hopefully the fans at The Planet Hollywood will be able to contain themselves and will not use beer cans as projectiles. Torres by 8th round KO.”
Martin Mulcahey – Maxboxing.com
“This time, Holt will enjoy a home country advantage, and given the pair’s matching of strengths to weaknesses the location could make all the difference again. No excuses for this time, both men are in their primes so it should come down to a contest of wills and who enforces their gameplan upon the other. Holt has more options to fall back upon, I think it comes down to that and Holt wins via majority decision.”
Pedro Fernandez – RingTalk.com
“Look for the best 140 pound fighter on the planet, Ricardo Torres, to prove just that in this rematch. Expect a KO or rout on points for the Colombian.”
Jerry Glick – Secondsout.com/Boxing Digest Magazine
“These two make for a great fight. They are well matched opponents, but I see Torres, who showed his mettle against Cotto, repeating his victory over Holt but by unanimous decision. He will drop Holt early on causing Holt to mount that bike again. It would have served Torres to have cut the ring off last time instead of chasing Holt. That’s why I think it will end in a decision not a KO this time.”
Moncayo Blackbull – InsideBoxing.com
“Holt does not posses the aggressiveness it will take to defeat Torres. Dancing and boxing will not cut it. Torres by late round stoppage.”
Bill Scherer– Suite101.com
“I don’t think Torres can improve much on his first fight performance, but Holt can. A focused, motivated Holt wins by unanimous decision.”
Ramon Aranda – 411mania.com
“In the first fight, Torres was landing the harder blows. With the desire to remove any controversy from the first fight, he’ll prepare harder and look to end things sooner. I think he will before the 10th round. Torres by Knockout.
John Martinez – BrickCityBoxing.com/IronBoxing.com
“Pride plus a smart, effective aggression will spur Torres to victory, again. He is a man that knows he was a bit lacking in output the first go round. This time he will show not only his foe, but the betting community that he is a warrior deserving of the title-Champion.”
