Hopkins to Fight Holt for WBO Title
By Ken Hissner, DoghouseBoxing (Dec 13, 2008) Photo © Tom Casino/SHOWTIME  
Kendall Holt, 24-2 (13) will now defend his WBO junior welterweight title Saturday night against the #9 contender Demitrius Hopkins, 28-0 (11), of Philadelphia at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Hopkins is filling in for the former WBO champion Ricardo Torres who was scheduled to meet Holt for the 3rd time, before pulling out earlier this week. The fight is promoted by Top Rank and will be aired over Showtime.

In watching Hopkins sparring with Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson and Derek “Pooh” Ennis Tuesday night at the Muhammad Ali gym in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he looked in very good condition. “I feel blessed I have this opportunity,” said Hopkins. He was scheduled to fight welterweight Germaine Sanders on the card at #144. In commenting about it being 13 months since his last fight and dropping 4 pounds in such a short period, Hopkins still seemed upbeat. “I feel very good. I defeated Holt in the amateurs,” said Hopkins.

“This is the opportunity he has been waiting for,” said Bozy Ennis, his trainer. Hopkins manager, Cameron Dunkin, flew into Philadelphia Wednesday night and was reached by telephone in Atlantic City. “I’m told he’s in great shape,” said Dunkin. Dunkin currently manages 3 other world champions, and would love to add another.

Earlier in the week Holt acknowledged he will have to adjust to Hopkins style after training for Torres. He is confident that Hopkins “0” will go. He has already signed to meet WBC junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley. Hopkins has a win over former champion Steve Forbes, in a USBA title defense in March of 2007.

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