Kendall Holt vs Ricardo Torres Fight Preview

Thursday, 30 August 2007

The WBO Light Welterweight champ Ricardo Torres will make his second title defense on Saturday September 1st, 2007 in his native Columbia against Kendall Holt. These fighters have a common opponent in Mike Aranoutis. Kendall Holt is a -170 odds boxing favorite at SportsBetting.com.

Ricardo Torres won a close controversial split decision against Aranoutis to capture the title in November of 2006. Kendall Holt dominated and decked Aranoutis in his last bout April 20th by 12 round unanimous decision. In this match-up Holt has the better overall boxing ability. Holt is a super-fast combination puncher with a whip like jab. Kendall posses power in both gloves and fights with a very awkward boxer\puncher style. Holt can be tagged and hurt but he owns some slick moves with good counterpunching skills. If Holt can fight intelligently he can make this an easy fight for himself possibly stopping Ricardo.

Ricardo is a technically sound boxer with some pop. In his fight with Miguel Cotto, Torres displayed his power and almost had the Puerto Rican superstar knocked out. One think I did note that night is that when guys put the heat on Torres he does not react well. Ricardo knows how to handle himself in the ring like a pro and can get up from being knocked down. Torresâ€™s record however is built up and deceiving as most of his opponents were tomato cans from Columbia. I think that the Columbian really only has one dimension to come forward and wing shots. Torres isnâ€™t a wild puncher but he isnâ€™t particularly quick. On a scale of 1-10 Ricardoâ€™s chin can only be rated at about 5 so he must use some good defense against a hard hitter like Holt.

Get the strongest fight info directly from Boxing Expert Handicapper Brad Marchetti.

This fight defiantly has home field advantage written all over it with Torres fighting in Columbia with the Latin dominated W.B.O title strap. The 8 oz. Mexican Reyes brand punchers gloves will be used in this fight so a KO could occur for either man. While Holt has things stacked against him in this fight I believe that he is a class above Torres in all areas but power. Kendall Holt is an underrated fighter that should be able to win but Torres has enough ability to make this a close fight. I don't see a close fight going Holt's way in Columbia so I don't have a firm stance on this bout.

Brad Marchetti fight betting profits Since 6/23/07: $1,350 ($100.00 wager per unit)

SportsBetting.com has posted Boxing Betting odds on this fight:

Kendall Holt: -170

Ricardo Torres: +130

Over 9.5 rounds: -130

Under 9.5 rounds: +100

Tale Of The Tape

              Holt                          Torres

HT.         5'9                              5'8
WT.        140                            140

Age: 26 27
Record: 22-1(12) 31-1 (27)