by James Slater – Soon after his far from thrilling points win over Demetrius Hopkins in Atlantic city, NJ last night, the word was that WBO light-welterweight champ Kendall Holt will next face WBC champ Timothy Bradley. A decent enough match-up, and a unification also, Holt-Bradley will not get the fans in an uproar of excitement. One fight involving “Rated R” would, though – a rubber-match with the man he should have met last night, in Ricardo Torres..
Last night’s bout was far from a stinker, but let’s face it, the fans were looking forward to the third and deciding fight of a trilogy that has already given us two great fights and one of the greatest opening rounds in recent history. But with talk of a Bradley fight being next for Holt the concern now is WHEN will one of the most necessary and demanded lower-weight fights actually happen?
Suppose either Holt or Torres were to lose while we are waiting; either Holt to Bradley or Torres to whomever he faces while hanging around for the rubber-match. Will the two archrivals still get it on for a third time, and if they do will some of the shine be removed from the third meeting if it happens with one of the two coming in off a loss to some other guy? Really, begging Tim Bradley’s pardon, there is no way Holt should wind up fighting anyone but Torres next. How can the Colombian who is desperate to settle the score with the man he claims wouldn’t have KO’d him without a head-butt, be pushed into the background?
Wouldn’t it just make perfect sense for the two men to meet next? If not for his flu symptoms that forced his withdrawal last night, Torres would have gotten his chance to win the series, as too would Holt. Why the need now to further delay Holt-Torres III with another match-up involving the reigning WBO champ in the meantime? Quite simply, there is no need. Bradley would only benefit from waiting for the two to settle their differences, as he could then fight the winner of what would likely be a much talked about, great fight.
Chances are, a Holt-Bradley fight would be another chess match not dissimilar to last night’s Holt-Hopkins affair. Fine enough, sure, but many fans want the kind of raw drama the first two Holt-Torres wars gave us.
There is no reason these fans should be made to wait any longer for what they want, either. Holt-Torres III – make it happen now!