Holt tops Hopkins to retain belt

Dec 14, 2008 - 7:39 AM ATLANTIC CITY (Ticker) -- With less than a week to prepare for Demetrius Hopkins, Kendall Holt proved no obstacle is too big to overcome.

Holt retained his WBO junior welterweight title Saturday with a split-decision victory over the previously unbeaten Hopkins at Boardwalk Hall.

After scoring a first-round knockout of Ricardo Torres on July 5 to win the belt, Holt granted the Columbian a rematch. But Torres pulled out of the fight due to illness and Hopkins accepted the bout on Monday, leaving the 27-year-old Holt just five days to train for his new opponent.

A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Holt (25-2, 13 KOs) proved to be the aggressor, outworking Hopkins for the majority of the fight. Judges Alan Rubenstein and Luis Rivera scored the bout 116-112 and 117-111, respectively, in favor of the champion, while Julie Lederman gave the fight to Hopkins (28-1-1) by a 115-113 margin.

"Tonight, I had to change gears," Holt said. "Champions are made, and they're made by overcoming adversity. I've faced adversity since I was a child. This last week has been nothing but what I'm used to."

The victory was the third in a row for Holt after failing in his first attempt to win the title from Torres on September 1, 2007. He next will face WBC champion Timothy Bradley in a unification bout early next year.

"Timothy Bradley is a good fighter," Holt said. "He throws a lot of punches and a lot of combinations. He's going to make me be very aware in there."

Bradley returned the praise to his next opponent.

"Kendall Holt was aggressive tonight," Bradley said. "That was something to see. He looked very impressive. We are two young, great champions, and this will be good for boxing."

Hopkins, 28, had won 20 consecutive bouts since battling Bobby High to a draw on October 26, 2001.