By Jason Sardelis , photo by Tom Casino / Showtime – July 5th, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: In the rematch of their controversial first fight, Kendall Holt 23-2, 13 Ko’s picked himself up off the deck twice to blast out WBO Junior Welterweight Ricardo Torres 32-1, 28 Ko’s at 1:01 of round one. In the first fight it was Torres who picked himself up off the deck to come from behind scoring an eleventh round TKO of Holt holding on to his WBO light welterweight title.
After fight Holt and his camp protested to the WBO complaining of referee Genaro Rodriguez’s quick stoppage and his handling of trash being thrown into the ring. The judges scores at the time of the stoppage were 95-94, 94-95 and 91-98 Holt..
The “No Excuses” rematch had Torres starting where he left off, going right after Holt. Torres stalked and caught Holt with an overhand right dropping about 15 seconds into the opening round. When action resumed Holt looked to show he wasn’t hurt but got caught again, this time with a right hand, left hook combination dropping him for the second time. Torres added clean left hook when Holt became upright before the count which referee Jay Nady missed. All this action only 25 seconds in.
After the count Torres charged Holt, but now chasing him and swinging wild. Torres landed a nice straight jab missed but missed with a wide right. Holt rolled out under it landing a left hook to the body. The two stepped in and clashed heads with Torres falling back. Most thought it was the body shot, (it was the heads). Holt jumped Torres missing the first of a double right bombardment but landed flush with the second planting Torres on the deck clinging to the lower rope. Referee Jay Nady dropped to the canvas to get a good look and immediately called the fight at 1:01 of round one. The stoppage was the type that changes careers. “No Excuses” did not leave a clear picture of who is the better fighter so expect Holt / Torres III coming to a ring near you. If, Torres is ever the same!
In the semi main event Lamont Peterson was too much for veteran Rogelio Castaneda Jr. Peterson was the more skilled, quicker fighter never allowing Castaneda in the fight. Peterson’s mixing his attack up and down along with his movement and speed was too much for the veteran. Clearly dominating rounds one through eight Peterson began loading up ripping Castaneda to the head and body in round nine.. About midway through the round Peterson switched to southpaw quickly dropping in a heavy right hook flooring the tough Mexican. The round continued with Peterson switching his stance landing power shots from both sides causing referee Russell Mora to stop the fight at 2:50 of round nine saving Castenada from any further beating. At times through the fight the crowed booed calling for Peterson to put the beaten Castenada out of his misery. Peterson moved to 25-0, 12 Ko’s but his power remains a question. Castenada dropped to 24-14-3, 8 Ko’s.
On the undercard: Josiah “Gorilla” Judah was stopped in the first round of his scheduled six rounder with Don Mouton. Yosef Judah moved to 2-0 winning a four round decision over Luis Tapia making his pro debut.