10.07.08 – by James Slater — Two fights into a series that will surely see at least three fights, and we are still none the wiser as to who the superior fighter is – Kendal Holt or Ricardo Torres. Both boxers have a win over the other, but due to the fact that both guys won in controversial circumstances – Torres by 11th round TKO in fight one and Holt by 1st round KO in fight two – it’s still up for grabs who the better fighter is.
Both fights, despite being shrouded in controversy, were great action bouts – fight two especially. As such, and because both warriors have the right to maintain that they are the best, the rubber-match simply has to happen. If common sense is adhered to, we will indeed see Torres-Holt III. But who will win and what kind of fight can we expect when the two light-welterweights clash again?
Talk about a hard fight to predict! Fight two went late, saw Holt score a knockdown in the 6th round and pull ahead on the scorecards – only to be stopped in the 11th round. The rematch was all over in just over a minute! However, as everyone who saw the sensational slugfest is aware, the action, drama and excitement generated – and with it value for money – was even more intense in the sequel. So how does fight three figure to go? Could we even see another quick blast out of a war akin to fight two?
The expectations going into a rubber-match would be huge. As should be the monetary reward for both fighters. With the kind of spectacular action they have already given us, and the kind of further action they will surely give us when they meet again, both men more than deserve to earn well from a third go. Chances are, though both guys may come out somewhat cautiously when next they fight – and after what happened in fight two who could blame them? – the battle would soon catch fire. There may well be bad blood between Holt and Torres now, too.
There is certainly unfinished business to be sorted out. Holt claims he was beaten unfairly in fight one, Torres claims likewise with regards to fight two. While settling their differences once and for all in a third fight (hopefully this year), the two hugely entertaining fighters would give nothing but their all – again.
It’s possible we could see another quick win either way. With the kind of power both men possess – Torres especially – we should not be surprised if fight three were over with quickly. It would be too much to ask for another one round barnburner like the one they put on on July 5th, but something not altogether dissimilar could well be on the cards.
The rubber-match is not yet signed, but surely it’s just a matter of time before it is – has there ever been a more obvious and necessary fight in the modern day history of the 140 pound division? When it is, the fight can only open as a 50/50 contest betting-wise. As good as fights one and two were, and as hard as fight three will be to pick, Holt-Torres III will unfold in front of nothing but a buzzing sell-out crowd. Who wouldn’t want to see it!?