This ended up being a better fight than I imagined. It had drama, ups and downs, and it even had a decent ending. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the fight of the year, by a long shot, but they put on a good show.
Timothy Bradley, the WBC super lightweight champ, came into this fight undefeated and very eager to stay that way. He pressured Holt from the beginning, and ran into a slick left hook, that put him on the canvas in the first. He rose to his feet and continued fighting as if nothing happened. He didn’t hold or run to make it out the round, he continued fighting. He stayed busy and got into somewhat of a rhythm the rest of the fight. He showed some flaws (dropping his hands, squaring up while in punching distance, etc), but he did enough to thrill the crowd and the judges.
Kendall Holt, the WBO junior welterweight champ, started off the fight with good countering and foot movement but slowed down as the fight went on. He occasionally threw a very effective jab, and a combo or 2, but other than that, he stayed inactive. He landed a good punch at the end of the fight, that put Bradley down again, but he again rose to his feet.
Bradley had his mind set on winning, and despite the 2 knock downs, he won a unanimous decision. He’s unified the two belts, and will most likely be on his way to bigger paydays. I’m screaming rematch. There are too many variables in this fight. If Holt would’ve used his jab more, he could’ve easily set himself up for a KO, or at least a decision win. I see the rematch being on a bigger stage, maybe the undercard of a PPV event.
They fought at 140 pounds, so Bradley could easily land a big fight with the likes of a; Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquio, Floyd Mayweather, or maybe even Nate Campbell. I personally don’t think he’s ready to fight either of them but if he’s looking for a pay day, he’ll have options. I guess we’ll have to see what his corner comes up with, but I don’t see him having those belts for very long, unless he finds a bum to fight, or they sharpen his skills. If he stays the same, the only way he’s going to hold on to those belts is if he goes out and purchases a duplicate!
