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Chip Mitchell, Robert Uzzell, and Crystal Hamlin: Friday Night Fights returns to Washington, DC as World No. 6 ranked (No. 3 IBF) Kendall “Rated R” Holt, (28-5, 16 KOs) tries to dethrone IBF Light Welterweight champ Lamont “Havoc” Peterson (30-1, 15 KOs) in the main event. The card is billed as
“Redemption: Lamont Peterson vs. Kendall Holt”.
Peterson
Lamont Peterson hasn’t fought in the past 14 months, but is coming off a huge, albeit controversial win against Amir Khan. He will enter the bout with Holt winning 3 of his last 4, with a draw against Victor Ortiz mixed in.
Holt
Kendall Holt is coming off of a 12 month layoff. Holt has also won 3 of his last 4, with a split decision loss to World No. 2 ranked (WBA/WBC champion) Danny Garcia.
Common Opponent
Both fighters entered the ring to face Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley in 2009. Holt fought Bradley earlier in the year and almost ended it early with a hook in the first round. He dropped Bradley again in the 12th, but didn’t do enough and lost a decision.
Peterson fought Bradley at the end of 2009 and lost by a wider decision than Holt. He was knocked down in round 3 and found some success to Bradley’s body in subsequent rounds. However, Lamont could seize control and Bradley won the decision.
Predictions
Robert Uzzell – A lot is at stake for both fighters in this one. Kendall Holt is a former champion and at almost 32 years, this could be his last shot. He is coming to win and if he’s in premium shape, he will give a great showing. Lamont Peterson is going to work the body all night long. If he gets into a wild brawl, trouble may follow. He can brawl but he needs to make sure he stays inside of Holt when he does. I think he’s learned enough from the past and will win a rugged unanimous decision over Kendall Holt.
Crystal “The DC Fight Diva” Hamlin – I look at the fact that Kendall Holt quit against Kaizer Mabuza as a key to this fight. Although Lamont Peterson is not as strong as Mabuza, he will employ the same blueprint. The body assault! When he fought Mabuza, Holt was coming off of a 10-month layoff. When he fights Peterson, it will be a 12-month layoff. I think Peterson’s body attack will ask the same questions of Holt that Mabuza’s did. I think Holt will be able to answer some of the questions, but I don’t think Holt he’ll be ready to answer all of them. With the Washington, DC home crowd behind him, I think Lamont Peterson will wear Kendall Holt down to a stoppage between the 6th and 9th rounds. It’ll be the pressure and bodywork that gets it done.
Chip Mitchell – I think Holt is coming to party in this one. There’s just something about Kendall Holt and Friday Night Fights that brings out the best.
He knows what is at stake. It may be his last shot at “redemption” and this is an excellent matchup. There will be no excuses. Holt knows where he is fighting. It’s Peterson’s hometown and he knows it will be difficult to beat him in “Our Nation’s Capital”. Just ask Amir Khan. He knows Lamont Peterson will come forward and attack his body (and head for that matter) throughout the fight. He knows what’s coming. Question is can he stop it? He needs to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. He needs to pressure Lamont and move forward, but keep distance and not let Peterson smother him. He needs to be on offense as much as he can, with distance and a stiff jab.
Lamont Peterson is coming to fight. He will be in shape and at his best in this one. Lose, and the road will get longer and tougher. Win- and his name will be thrown in as the B-side to guys named Garcia, Khan, Judah, Rios, Bradley, Matthysse, etc. Lamont needs to attack but he can’t throw looping shots like he did against Khan. If he does, Holt will time him with one of the best left hooks in boxing. That’s his money punch. He put Bradley down hard with it in their fight. He’ll do the same to Lamont if he’s not careful.
The styles mesh well in this fight. I think this could be a classic if the fight plays out the way I envision. In order for it to do so, Holt has got to come to play and if he does… Holt will hurt Peterson and maybe drop him once or twice. I was leaning toward Holt earlier in the week. However, I’m going with Lamont Peterson by majority decision. I think he has more left than Holt does at this point.
“REDEMPTION: Peterson vs. Holt,” a 12-round Junior Welterweight World Title Fight for Peterson’s IBF World Championship Belt taking place Friday, February 22, 2013, at the DC Armory. The fight titled REDEMPTION is co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Headbangers Promotions and broadcast live by ESPN 2′s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9 p.m. EST.
Tickets priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, $25 (not including applicable service charges), go on sale Monday, January 28th at 1:00 p.m. and will be available for purchase at the DC Armory box office and all Washington, D.C. Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.
