Holt vs. Garcia Preview:
Out of all the weight classes in boxing, the 140lbs division is the hottest right now. It has the stars, the fights and the potential future cash cows of the sport. Unfortunately over the past few months its also gotten some of the biggest outrage from both fans and media.
Less than a month ago the WBC, in a horrible decision, decided to strip Timothy Bradley Jr and have Erik Morales and Lucas Matthysse fight for the now vacant title. The fact that he got stripped, even though it was unjustified, was problem enough, but it was merely highlights the blatant corruption and lack of meaning that it brings to the sport. It was a move to take the belt away from the arguably the best fighter in the division, a fighter who earned the belt in the ring, and have two people other ranked but seemingly random individuals vie for the crown.
One of the fighters that heavily campaigned against this was Kendal Holt who felt he should have at least been considered to fight for the WBC title. Instead, he takes on the role of cagey veteran looking to make another title run, standing in the way of undefeated prospect Danny Garcia, in his first fight on the big stage.
Tale of the Tape:
Kendall Holt (27-4; 15 KO)
5’9″ Tall, 74” reach; 30 years old
Kendall Holt has been around for a long time now, and who could ever forget his brawls with Ricardo Torres or his showing against Timothy Bradley Jr. where he had Bradley seriously hurt in the beginning of the fight? Since losing to Bradley and then Kaizer Mabuza, Holt has been on the comeback trail scoring two very impressive Knockouts over two very unimpressive foes, Lenin Arroyo and Julio Diaz.
Holt is a good mix of that boxer/puncher mentality, he can outbox you or he can brawl with you until one of you falls. Teddy Atlas said it best in Friday Night Fights, Holt’s most dangerous moments are in the first four rounds, he’s very fast and sharp, and that left hook carries some serious power and can come out of nowhere.
Daniel Garcia (21-0; 14 KO)
5’9” tall; 69” reach; 23 years old
Danny Garcia had a very good amateur career, he had around 120 amateur bouts and he is a 2006 US National Champion. He has been brought up very well and holds some very significant victories in his young career, including a 4th round KO of Mike Arnaoutis and a decision victory over Nate Cambell. Garcia has a lot of things going for him, he has a good jab and very good head movement.
Also, being the Philly fighter that he is, he likes to batter the hips of the opponent. It’s his first taste of a top fighter still in his prime, or close to it, and it represents a major challenge on his way to a title shot in the not too distant future.
Holt vs. Garcia Prediction:
Kendal Holt should enter the bout as the favorite, but this is one of those fights where I can see myself betting for the underdog. Garcia has the tools to upset Holt, he usually keeps his right hand up which will make it difficult for Holt’s left hook to find a home.
He has a good jab, a solid right and a good counter left, all with knockout power. What would worry me about Garcia is how often he loops his punches, he throws those hooks a little bit too wide and also squares up when he fires them.
Holt is a very powerful and fast puncher, especially in those earlier rounds and when you hurt him he only gets more dangerous. Just ask Ricardo Torres, who had him down 2 times before being stopped by Holt, all in the first round of course. While Garcia might get his punches in first, I think he might start looping those hooks and get caught with a Holt counter left in the first half of the fight.
Holt by KO in the first half of the fight
