It was much closer than expected.
WBO junior-welterweight champion Kendall Holt appeared to dominate his 12-round fight with Demetrius Hopkins early Sunday morning at Boardwalk Hall's Adrian Phillips Ballroom, but was forced to settle for a split decision victory.
Judges Luis Rivera (117-111) and Alan Rubenstein (116-112) both favored Holt, as did The Press (118-110). Judge Julie Lederman, much to the surprise of most ringside observers - save for the dozen or so that were sitting near Hopkins' corner - scored the fight for Hopkins (115-113).
"I was shocked because I thought maybe he won two rounds," Holt said. "But we are kind of on mutual ground here, so I shouldn't have really been surprised. Champions overcome adversity."
With the victory, Holt (25-2, 13 KOs), from Paterson, set the stage for a unification fight early next year against WBC champion Timothy Bradley (23-0, 11 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif. Hopkins (28-1-1, 11 KOs) headed back to Philadelphia with his first loss and the frustration of not being able to capitalize on his chance to become the champion. full story
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