BRIEF FRIDAY NIGHT BOXING PREVIEW

By Damien K. Picariello

            This coming Friday, May 27 of 2005, features an ESPN2 card that looks to present at least two top-notch pairings.

            In the headliner, light welterweight prospect Kendall Holt, 18-1 with 12 by knockout, faces off against Colombian Jaime Rangel, clocking in at 29-7-1 with 25 KOs. 

            Holt, an eye-catching blend of speed and power from Paterson, New Jersey, made the boxing world stand up and take notice when he dispatched the formerly 26-0 David Diaz with a TKO in the eighth back in February.  His style has been compared to that of Roy Jones, Jr., and against Diaz he was able to put together a dynamite combination of elusiveness and strength.  The lone blemish on Holt's record came in June of 2004 against Thomas Davis, when Holt became overeager in finishing off his damaged opponent and left himself open for a big shot, ultimately losing by TKO in the first.  Since then, however, Holt's won three in a row including the breakout win over Diaz, and hopes to continue that streak this Friday against Rangel.

            Jaime Rangel, nine years Holt's senior at 32, made his first United States appearance in December of 2003, when he was blown out inside of a round by current undisputed welterweight king Zab Judah.  Since then, Rangel's been able to show a bit more of himself in tough fights with Edner Cherry and the aforementioned David Diaz, who was able to stop Rangel in the ninth round of a fierce battle.  Although Rangel has lost his last three fights in a row, he ought to provide an interesting style matchup for Holt.  Provided he doesn't get taken out early, I'd expect him to employ pressure and a high punch volume in an attempt to corner and batter the slippery Holt.  Holt, for his part, will be looking to take advantage of the two inches in height and five inches in reach he has on Rangel, and aim to potshot his man from the outside until he finds an opportunity to finish.

            In the co-feature, one-time top junior welterweight title challenger Ben Tackie looks to regain some of his previous form against Edwin Algarin.

            Tackie, at 25-5 with 16 via stoppage, is a straightforward fighter who looks to out-punch his competition with volume and power.  He challenged undisputed light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu back in May of 2002, but fell short and was out-boxed and out-punched over the course of 12 one-sided rounds.  In his next two fights, Tackie lost back-to-back whitewash decisions to Sharmba Mitchell and Ricky Hatton, and then took almost a year off before returning with a knockout win over journeyman Jonathan Nelson.  This will be the second fight of Tackie's comeback, and he'll be looking to utilize his experience and firepower against Algarin.

            Edwin Algarin was a Puerto Rican Olympian in 2000, and has since gone 9-2-1 with 6 early nights in the pro ranks.  He's six years younger than Tackie at 25, and may be able to use his southpaw stance to his advantage.  However, Tackie's biggest problems in the ring have come against fighters who employ movement and speed (he even brought out the technician in Ricky Hatton), and Algarin will have to make the most of his youth and energy to confuse and counter the somewhat one-dimensional Tackie.

            Fight fans are advised to keep their eyes peeled for 2004 Olympian (but never made it to Athens) Roberto Benitez in a possible ESPN2 122-pound swing bout.  Also, Golden Boy Promotions' hot prospect Vincente Escobedo is scheduled to appear on Telefutura.

            My picks record is now 9-2 with 4 KOs.

FIGHTS: Kendall Holt vs. Jaime Rangel, Ben Tackie vs. Edwin Algarin

DATE: May 27, 2005

TV: ESPN2

MY PICKS: Holt TKO 4, Tackie TKO 4

Send comments or questions to Damien Picariello at:Damien@kofantasyboxing.com