Hopkins replaces Torres as Holt's foe
Posted Dec. 8, 2008 at 12:42pm
By Joe Santoliquito
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Demetrius Hopkins will replace Ricardo Torres as the opponent for WBO 140-pound titlist Kendall Holt on Saturday night in Atlantic City, N.J., according to Hopkins' trainer, Derek Ennis.
Torres pulled out of the title fight after missing time in camp because he was ill and couldn't make the 140-pound limit, a number of sources said. Some sources said he weighed as much at 154 pounds.
Ennis got the call from the fighter's manager, Cameron Dunkin, on Sunday afternoon about the possibility of replacing Torres. Ennis didn’t think for a second about jumping at the chance. Things change rapidly in boxing, and this change could be a golden opportunity for Hopkins.
Hopkins has not been very active. He last fought in November 17, 2007, when he scored a 10-round decision over Enrique Colin in Atlantic City. Hopkins (28-0-1, 11 KOs) had been off because of contract squabbles.
“We were training for an undercard fight against Germaine Sanders,” said Ennis, who’s been training Hopkins since 2001. “We took the fight. We were training to fight at 145 pounds, so we only have a few more pounds to go. Germaine Sanders is a pretty crafty boxer, and Kendall is the same kind of fighter, with more boxing. We’re looking to win. This is a big opportunity for Demetrius. We can shut a lot of people up.
“This fight says he can still make 140. People went around talking about Demetrius not being able to make the weight. But Demetrius has been fighting 139, 140 ever since he was in the amateurs. Demetrius is happy to get the opportunity.”
Hopkins will look to use angles and box with Holt, who has sneaky power and fast hands. Hopkins knows Holt because the two sparred when Hopkins first turned pro in 2000.
“This is what Demetrius has been waiting for,” Ennis said. “Anyone who had a title and was available, Demetrius was ready to fight. It’s all opportunity.”
Holt (24-2, with 13 knockouts) had beaten Torres (32-2, 28 KOs) on a controversial first-round stoppage in their July rematch. Torres had Holt down twice in the round, before Holt retaliated and appeared to stun Torres with a head butt. Referee Jay Nady then stepped in to end the fight at the 1:01 mark.
Torres pulled out of the title fight after missing time in camp because he was ill and couldn't make the 140-pound limit, a number of sources said. Some sources said he weighed as much at 154 pounds.
Ennis got the call from the fighter's manager, Cameron Dunkin, on Sunday afternoon about the possibility of replacing Torres. Ennis didn’t think for a second about jumping at the chance. Things change rapidly in boxing, and this change could be a golden opportunity for Hopkins.
Hopkins has not been very active. He last fought in November 17, 2007, when he scored a 10-round decision over Enrique Colin in Atlantic City. Hopkins (28-0-1, 11 KOs) had been off because of contract squabbles.
“We were training for an undercard fight against Germaine Sanders,” said Ennis, who’s been training Hopkins since 2001. “We took the fight. We were training to fight at 145 pounds, so we only have a few more pounds to go. Germaine Sanders is a pretty crafty boxer, and Kendall is the same kind of fighter, with more boxing. We’re looking to win. This is a big opportunity for Demetrius. We can shut a lot of people up.
“This fight says he can still make 140. People went around talking about Demetrius not being able to make the weight. But Demetrius has been fighting 139, 140 ever since he was in the amateurs. Demetrius is happy to get the opportunity.”
Hopkins will look to use angles and box with Holt, who has sneaky power and fast hands. Hopkins knows Holt because the two sparred when Hopkins first turned pro in 2000.
“This is what Demetrius has been waiting for,” Ennis said. “Anyone who had a title and was available, Demetrius was ready to fight. It’s all opportunity.”
Holt (24-2, with 13 knockouts) had beaten Torres (32-2, 28 KOs) on a controversial first-round stoppage in their July rematch. Torres had Holt down twice in the round, before Holt retaliated and appeared to stun Torres with a head butt. Referee Jay Nady then stepped in to end the fight at the 1:01 mark.
