Finally: Torres-Holt 2 is on!

July 5, 2008

By Andreas Hale
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

There’s a lot going on in Las Vegas this weekend. Tonight at Planet Hollywood there’s a boxing fan’s delight brewing. On Saturday, July 5th 2008, Shobox: The New Generation will televise the rematch between WBO junior welterweight title holder Ricardo Torres and No. 1 contender Kendall Holt.

Ten months ago, a breathtaking fight turned ugly when Torres (32-1, 28 KOs) stopped Holt (23-2, 12 KOs) via a highly controversial 11th round TKO in Torres’ hometown of Barranquilla, Columbia. Between a referee that couldn’t control the action and fans that hurled beer cans into the ring, the fight was destined to see some kind of controversy. This time around, the confines of Las Vegas prove to be a much more neutral playing field for both fighters as Holt looks to avenge his loss.

“I can’t wait for this fight. No one knows what I have endured. I thought a rematch was not going to happen,” Holt explained to a small gathering of media during the final press conference. “That is why every fight is important. It didn’t matter if it was for a different belt. I wanted to be fighting for a world championship.”

For Holt – who was winning on two of the three judges’ scorecards before the stoppage – this is a chance at redemption and the opportunity to either bolster his chances of bigger fights or fade into obscurity with a second loss.

“I went to Florida for training and missed my son learning how to ride his bike without training wheels, his pre-school graduation, and his birthday,” he says as he clearly wants everyone to know that this rematch won’t be for the lighthearted. “I was completely focused for the entire six weeks of camp.”

Torres feels like he has already proven that he could defeat Holt and maybe this time around will be much easier.

“I’m very prepared and I am here to win this fight and defend this title,” he explains. “ I know Holt is tough, but there is not really anything that he can do that he didn’t do before.

For the man who is best known as the one who nearly derailed the Miguel Cotto express in a heated contest three years ago, pressure to prove something is beyond his character.

“There is no pressure on me to prove anything in this fight,” Torres stated. “Whatever I do, I won’t be able to change the minds of anybody who saw the first fight against Holt.”

Regardless, both know that this fight is detrimental to both of their careers. The victor will be propelled into bigger fights and better purses while the loser will have to claw his way back into contention.

“If I come up short, I know in my heart that I did the best that I could. On Saturday night, I am going to prevail. All the hard work I put in is going to pay off,” Holt professes.

Torres, on the other hand, kept it quite simple.

“I’m ready. Let’s get it on.”

On the Showtime televised card’s co-feature, Lamont Peterson will look to continue his ascension up the ranks as he takes on Rogelio Castaneda in a battle of junior welterweights. Lamont (24-0, 11KOs), along with his younger brother Anthony, have been making noise in the boxing scene as two brothers wreaking havoc in their respective divisions. With the younger Peterson recently ousting Fernando Trejo back on June 26th, it’s up to Lamont to continue the trend of sibling dominance. Only a very game Castaneda (24-13, 8KOs) doesn’t look to be yet another stepping stone in the Peterson’s quest for greatness.

“I want to show people that I am still here,” Castaneda exclaimed. “ I want to show people that I am here to put on a good show. Hopefully, they will put me on other shows.”

“I am sure that Castaneda did not come here to lose,” Lamont said as he assured Castaneda wouldn’t be a walk in the park. “I am going to enjoy myself, and I hope everybody else does too. After the fight, I am really going to enjoy myself at this beautiful hotel.’’

Aside from that statement, Peterson kept his statements brief and will let his fists do the talking on Saturday night.

“Everybody knows what time it is…fight time. Fighters don’t talk too much right before a fight.”

Ricardo Torres Vs Kendall Holt for Torres’ WBO junior welterweight title and Lamont Peterson Vs Rogelio Castaneda’s junior welterweight battle will take place Saturday, July 5th at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be televised on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).