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New Jersey based light welter contender Kendall Holt finally gets his shot at the big time tonight but he has to go to Barranquilla, Colombia to do it as he faces hometown man and WBO Light Welter Champion Ricardo Torres at Coliseo Universidad del Norte.
A pro since 2001, Holt, 22-1 (12), had his 15 fight win streak stopped during a first round stoppage at the hands of journeyman Thomas Davis three years ago but has since won seven consecutive bouts, including victories over current WBC Lightweight Champ David Diaz, former IBO Lightweight boss Isaac Hlatshwayo and highly thought of prospect Mike Arnaoutis.
That impressive resume since 2005 has gotten Holt to a title shot tonight but he’ll likely have to put on the best performance of his life if he is to
take the WBO crown from hard punching champion Torres.
Torres, 31-1 (27), shot from obscurity in 2005 with the reputation as a massive power puncher when he challenged the WBO Light Welter Champion of that time, Miguel Cotto, and narrowly missed upsetting the Puerto Rican superstar in a massive firefight that saw both men on the canvas numerous times before Cotto finished off the Colombian in the seventh.
Since that time Torres won the vacant WBO belt with a close split decision win over Arnaoutis last November before retaining the title successfully with a dominating points win over Mexican veteran Arturo Morua in April.
Holt will likely be able to use his superior speed to keep Torres at the end of his punches early on but will have to be in superb condition if he is to maintain that distance in the later rounds when the champion’s relentless pressure could place Holt into the kind of deep water that he has yet to deal with in his career.
If Torres can get to Holt and force exchanges on the inside, he’ll likely retain his WBO crown but if Holt can force a slower pace and keep the action on the outside, he’ll bring home the belt.
