The past two years, 2009 and 2010, have been very tough for former WBO light welterweight champion Kendall Holt. Holt, 25-4 (13), has lost two consecutive fights, one in 2009 and one in 2010, the latter being an IBF eliminator fight which Holt was a heavy favorite, but wound up being battered and retired in his corner at the end of fifth round. Holt also had to deal with a money laundering charge that he is now completing a pre-trial intervention program that if he has trouble completing, could result in him spending three to five years in prison.
January 29th, with hopefully all of that behind him, Holt steps back in the ring to try to kick start his career. He will be taking on former WBC Latino light welterweight title holder Lenin Arroyo, 20-14 (4), on the undercard of the Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander WBO/WBC showdown. Arroyo will provide some tough opposition to Holt; as well as give him a decent name on his record should he win the fight. Arroyo has been in against some stiff competition during his career including a win over former WBO light welterweight title holder Ener Julio and taking fighters Mike Jones, James De La Rosa and Randall Bailey the distance. A win by Holt will halt a two year winless streak and probably begin his rise back into title contention.
Holt has been in some tough fights over the years, starting with a shocking 1st round TKO by the hands of unheralded Thomas Davis in 2004. Holt rebounded from that loss and won seven straight, including a stoppage of the previously unbeaten David Diaz and a UD over “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis in a WBO light welterweight elimination bout. That win brought Holt to one of his two controversial fights with Ricardo Torres. In the first bout, Holt was in control of the fight, knocking Torres down in round six, but stepped into a Torres left hook and was dropped. The crowd responded by littering the ring with garbage. Holt tried to hold on and get through the round, but referee Genaro Rodriguez waved the fight off due to Holt not defending himself. A melee ensued in the crowd, injuring Holt’s girlfriend in the process. Holt also went after the referee post fight. Holt’s camp protested the fight, but in the end it was denied, although they granted a rematch. In the 2008 rematch, Torres had Holt in deep trouble in round number one, being knocked twice, getting up and being battered along the ropes when he unleashed a left hook and knocked out Torres. That win gave Holt the WBO light welterweight title. The rubber match was made, but Torres pulled out of the fight, which led Holt to a defense against Demetrius Hopkins, which Holt won by SD. Holt then started his recent back slide.
In 2009, he met up with WBC light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. Bradley went on to win both titles by a close UD decision and a devastated Holt sulked back to his camp to try to re-group. That would not be the case as shortly after that loss, his manager Henry Cortes was charged with dealing narcotics. During the investigation, it was found that Holt had picked up money and delivered it to Cortes. He was arrested and in court admitted that he knew the money was from drug dealing, but also told the judge that he had never done nor dealt drugs himself. The judge sentenced him to PTI. In 2010, Holt was matched up with Kaizer Mabuza for an IBF eliminator bout, but was beaten badly in a 5th round stoppage. Whether or not it was the mental distraction of dealing with his legal problems or the fact that he only had one fight in almost one year, Holt looked extremely bad in the fight.
Now, 9 months after his last fight, Holt will attempt to rebuild his career. Holt still has the qualities and skill to rise back into the top of the light welterweight rankings, and Arroyo will be a good start. Look for a 5th round stoppage by Holt.
Bob Carroll
www.convictedartist.com
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