Last night’s Versus channel offering from
the Hard Rock Casino at Las Vegas, Nevada, showcased Kendall “Rated
R” Holt in first return off loss to Ricardo Torres in WBO
s/lightweight challenge.
Unlike the September visit to hostile
Barranquilla, Colombia where incoming beer bottles followed a
third stanza knockdown of local Torres, this Vegas trip was
much more to the liking of the talented Paterson, NJ contender.
Nothing sensational, this majority decision
win over age 34 veteran Ben “Wonder” Tackie, still, it was a
good nite of work for the text-book counter puncher who was in
complete control from start to finis.
Tackie, from Bronx, NY via Accra, Ghana, did
the expected with a stanza by stanza pursuit in attempt to bring
the action to the inside - but Ben proved too slow in all areas
to be successful.
Holt simply had too many options - the jab,
the quick counter right hand- left-hook coupled with occasional
late stanza flurries kept him in control.
The final numbers went Holt 98-92, 98-92 with
dissenting judge at ringside scoring it a standoff at 95-95 -
and this C.J. Ross hack is more in need of sunglasses, tin cup,
and killer pooch than pencil and scoring card.
Closing comments: Kendall Holt ( 23-2, 12
KOs) ~ age 26 still at prime time. Works in relaxed mode, uses
the jab and feint with subtle movements to set up the counters
with. Good stuff. Only debits on the resume` a year 2004 KO loss
to then prospect Tommy Davis, and the Torres round eleven TKO.
Wants USA return with Torres. Think maybe a NYC Malignaggi
challenge makes better sense.
Ben Tackie ( 29-9-1, 17 KOs)
~ age 34 - sun setting on respectable career - 2007 losses to
Alfonso Gomez and Freddy Hernandez hints of rest of the story -
and now the Holt loss confirms the future is yesterday. Earns
curtain call on having never been stopped in a now career 39
career kept appointments.
Ref. Robert Byrd - Solid nite
of work. Better than most.
………………………………................................................................................................
Prelim jr. middleweight pairing saw
undefeated Vanes Martirosyan going to 19-0, 13 KOs with a
dominating third stanza TKO of Jorge Munoz. It was all
Martirosyan from the opening bell.
Opening stanza it 's a counter left-hook dropping the
transplanted Mexican from Topeka, Kansas - then round two
and clear that Munoz was much too slow in all departments to
make it a long night’s work.
Then, to no surprise stanza three would drop
the curtain - first it’s Munoz “taking a knee” - then down
second time courtesy of volley of Martirosyan two-fisted volley
- referee Kenny Bayless calls it off at 2:20 mark of the stanza.
Rest of the story: Martirosyan (19-0, 13 KOs)
~ age 21 with good size at 6 feet, decent power and boxing
basics. Showed reflex and quickness in this outing. Too early to
make judgment. Brain trust critical component to what follows.
Jorge Muñoz (20-2, 13 KO) ~ age 26
- think he took this one on short notice. Could be clue to the
poor showing. Opening stanza a flash knockdown variety and then
surrenders during round three onslaught.
………………………………............................................................................................
Post Scripts: Commentator duo: Nick Charles and Wally Matthews
in need of help - work as if doing radio instead of television.
The constant know it all chatter out of sync with what the
viewer is watching. Reporting is one thing - pleading for total
ring warfare a whole different entity.
