International Boxing Federation champion Lamont Peterson was correct when he said, “there will be no ring rust in this fight”. Maybe a slow start, as some ring side press had challenger Kendall Holt winning 2 out the first 3 rounds. But from the 4th round on, Peterson did what Holt knew he was going to do and that was to press the action for as long as the fight lasts. Referee Tony Weeks called it over at 1:42 of round 8 and Peterson won by a TKO to improve his record to 31-1-1 and keep his IBF belt.
Holt was more aggressive in the first 3 rounds as Peterson seemed to be sizing up his tough opponent to do damage as the fight progressed. In round 4 Peterson started to work Holt’s body and landed some huge right hands to put Holt on the campus for the first of 2 knock downs. “I felt as though he was losing energy so I pushed forward to try to make him a little more tired”, said Peterson. Holt expressed that he had not eaten in 3 days trying to make the mandatory weight of 140 pounds and that he is sure he will not fight in the Jr. Welterweight division in future fights. “I struggled to make 140 for this fight, but once I did, my training camp was great. I am not making any excuses, the Peterson camp brought the fight to me all night long. I was losing energy as the fight went on. My mind was clear and I knew what I wanted to do, buy my body would not respond”, recalls Holt, 28-6, from Patterson, NJ.
Peterson’s trainer, Barry Hunter knew how dangerous Holt could be, “I watched Kendall in past fights and he lands his knock out blows during a flurry from both fighters. For some reason, he was beating his opponents to the punch and knocking them out. I wanted Lamont to box him and at the right time, put the pressure on and that’s what we did. This has been a long year for me personally and for our Head Bangers family. This was a very emotional win for us”.
Peterson stayed sharp in rounds 5, 6 and 7, including a 2nd knock down of Holt in the 6th round. Holt, a former World Boxing Organization champ at Jr. Welterweight, ended his night taking a barrage of punches from Peterson and had no qualms about referee Weeks calling a halt to the bout in round 8. Peterson, fighting at home in Washington, DC for his last 2 fights, was happy and encouraged by the crowd of over 3000 loud fans. “I am glad that my home town came out to support me and I hope to bring other fights of this magnitude to DC”. DC boxing fans can’t wait for Peterson’s next title defense to be in his home town. Please subscribe and read other stories I have written.
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