Santa Ynez, California — Kendall Holt showed his dangerous punching power was still intact with a devastating TKO last night (May 13) over former contender Julio Diaz.
Billed as a crossroads fight, both veterans were in tremendous shape. Holt landed two big right hands early in the first, prompting Diaz to focus his offense on the inside. Diaz’s left hook to the body was a consistent weapon. However, Diaz repeatedly rushed in dome first and caused an accidental head butt. Diaz received a bleeding cut over the corner of his left eye but was ruled able to continue.
After letting Diaz have a good comeback in round two, Holt picked up the pace and started coming forward in the third. He was able to land hard left jabs at will before being clipped and knocked backward by a left hook. Diaz immediately pounced recklessly and ran into a double left hook which deposited him flat on his back. Diaz beat the count but was completely gone, prompting the TKO stoppage.
Holt improves to 27-4 with 15 KOs. In the post-fight interview, Holt advised media that his next target is WBC and WBO junior welterweight champ Timothy Bradley, who defeated him by decision in 2009.
“I’m going to beat Timothy Bradley in a rematch and then fight him again in a trilogy. That’s what I’m going to do,” Bradley vowed.
Julio Diaz falls to 38-7, 27 KOs.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 