Torres and Holt Meet Again on July 5th

By Mario Ortega Jr.

On the morning of the David Diaz-Manny Pacquiao clash, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank hosted a gathering of media types to draw some attention to an intriguing card slated next weekend in Las Vegas. Topping the bill, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, is the rematch between defending WBO Light Welterweight Champion Ricardo Torres and Kendall Holt, the man he defeated for the vacant title in controversial fashion. In the co-feature, Lamont Peterson (24-0, 11 KOs) of Washington, DC, recently signed by Top Rank, will meet veteran gatekeeper Rogelio Castaneda Jr. (24-13-3, 8 KOs) of Sacramento, California in a ten-round light welterweight fight. Both bouts will be televised live by Showtime.

“These are two terrific fighters in the 140-pound division,” Arum said of Torres and Holt. Torres scored a controversial knockout of Holt on in his native Colombia to claim the vacant belt. Few people have seen the first fight in its entirety, but those who have said the officiating and security were a disgrace. The environment was very hostile towards Holt. Among other things, his girlfriend was injured by out of control fans, Holt slipped on the mat that had been soaked by thrown beer and all three men in the ring were endangered by flying objects. According to several internet reports, Holt was dropped in the eleventh, slipped on the wet surface getting to his feet and the fight was called. The rematch could go a long way to quelling the controversy. In any event, controversy or not, it seems like the ingredients for an exciting bout are in place. “They have been around for a while, they fought in the past and they know how to fight. Get ready for an action-packed fight on Saturday, July 5th,” said Arum.

Several notable prospects are slated to appear on the untelevised undercard. Unbeaten Andrew Cancio (8-0-2, 8 KOs) of Blythe, California meets venerable journeyman Carlos Vinan (7-6-3, 1 KO) of Newark, New Jersey in a six-round featherweight bout. Touted super bantamweight Michael Franco (11-0, 8 KOs) of Riverside, California will take on Javier Lagos (15-10-2, 4 KOs) of Houston, Texas in a six-round contest.

Rising super bantamweight prospect Ana Julaton (4-0, 1 KO) of Daly City, California will meet fellow former U.S. Championships silver medalist Johana Mendez (3-0, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas in a rare meeting of undefeated females slated for six-rounds. “Not only is she tremendously talented, but she has to be the best looking female fighter anybody has ever seen,” Arum said of Julaton.

The two youngest professional fighting brothers of former champion Zab Judah will also appear on the card. Light middleweight Joseph Judah (1-0) and middleweight Josiah Judah (9-0-1, 2 KOs), both of Brooklyn, New York will meet TBA in four and six-round bouts respectively. “Judah fighters are always exciting,” proclaimed Arum.

Tickets for the event, titled “No Excuses Rematch” and promoted by Top Rank, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.