Boxing Preview: Kendall Holt vs. Demetrius Hopkins

© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

Tonight, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City hosts a WBO Light Welter title showdown between champ Kendall Holt and challenger Demetrius Hopkins in what should be a good, competitive battle.

Holt, 24-2 (13), was due to face Ricardo Torres in a third bout but the Colombian bomber was forced to pull out with an injury and in stepped former USBA titlist Hopkins, 28-0-1 (11).

The New Jersey based champion has always been a mercurial boxers, as wins over Mike Arnaoutis and Isaac Hlatshwayo but tough fights against Ben Tackie and Vladimir Khodokovski attest to.

Holt was also on the receiving end of a proper shelling from Torres in their rematch in July before an accidental headbutt put Holt into the driver’s seat.

The Cinderella story of Holt could just be about over in this one if the reluctant to throw a punch version of the champion shows up against the taller Philadelphia native Hopkins, who has been steady in bouts against medium level competition and a win against former super feather world champ Steve Forbes last year.

Hopkins has been brought along slowly in his over eight year pro career and will find out tonight if this approach has either helped to keep the miles off the odometer or just delayed the inevitable loss against higher level competition.