Kendall Holt vs Timothy Bradley Preview & Prediction
Kendall Holt and Timothy Bradley are set to square off in a junior welterweight title unification clash on Saturday, April 4 in Montreal. Bradley is a win removed from capturing the WBC 140 lb. title against Junior Witter and Kendall Holt is also a win removed from his WBO 140 lb. crown title winning effort in his dramatic 1 round KO victory over Ricardo Torres.
Big names are lurking in the 140 pound division these days. Manny Pacquiao has moved there to face division kingpin Ricky Hatton. Juan Manuel Marquez has jumped up to follow Pacquiao, and Nate Campbell has moved up out of necessity after no longer being able to cut down to the lightweight limit. Meanwhile, Floyd Mayweather may be returning and could have 140 in his sights, and Zab Judah is said to be dropping back down to his former stomping grounds. All of this means that the winner of this contest, with two of the division’s belts, is well positioned for a big time fight against a major player.
Kendall “Rated R” Holt
25 (13) - 2
Height: 5’9” Reach: 74”
WBO Junior Welterweight Champion
Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley
23 (11) – 0
Height: 5’6” Reach: 69”
WBC Junior Welterweight Champion
Holt vs Bradley Prediction
On paper, Kendall Holt has all of the advantages in this match. He’s a bigger fighter with a larger reach. He has more power in both hands and more speed. He’s slicker and he’s obviously been able to bounce back from defeat, having suffered 2 losses thus far in his career. What doesn’t show up anywhere in all of this tangible qualities however is inconsistent performances and a weak chin.
Before Kendall Holt knocked out Torres in the first round of the rematch of their first fight (when Torres stopped Holt in a fight he was losing to that point) he had been down to the canvas twice. It looked like he would be the first round KO victim, but he pulled out a magic shot (which followed a magic head butt that may have been the real damaging blow) to escape with the title.
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While Holt does have serious pop, Bradley has a great chin. What Bradley also has in his favor is a consistent, workmanlike style that sees him applying pressure and crowding his opponent. There is absolutely the possibility that Holt renders this game plan useless. Using his boxing, he might be able to stay on his feet and pick apart the smaller, slower Bradley. There’s also the possibility that Bradley’s efforts will distract the distractible Holt and force him out of his comfort zone. When there is no magic punch to be found, a result of Bradley’s superior beard, Holt will be out of bullets.
Both are feasible, but I’m leaning towards the latter, with Bradley winning a close, potentially split decision. Zab Judah, Nate Campbell and Juan Manuel Marquez would all be attractive and lucrative bouts for the newly unified champion.
By Jake Emen
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Director of Boxing Content