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By Keith Idec - BARRANQUILLA, Colombia - In what rapidly turned into a dangerous environment for virtually everyone inside the Jumbo Saloon Country Club early Sunday morning, Kendall Holt's championship dream was washed away amid a downpour of beer, soda and water.
Holt was ahead of World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Ricardo Torres on two of three scorecards entering the 11th round, but Torres dropped Holt near Holt's corner with a right hand that gave the hometown hero a chance to complete a remarkable comeback. What transpired thereafter, though, is open to interpretation.
As Holt tried to use his legs and held to avoid another powerful punch from Torres (32-1, 28 KOs) in the 11th round, he continuously slipped on what was an extremely slick surface caused by fans hurling innumerable full beer cans and bottles and cans of soda and water into the ring. With flying ice cubes, liquids, plastic and aluminum seemingly endangering the safety of Holt and Torres, referee Genaro Rodriguez, who also appeared to stand directly in harm's way, declined to halt the action so that the surface could be dried and order could be restored around ringside.
The Chicago-based referee instead stopped the fight with a tiring, retreating Holt (22-2, 12 KOs) still on his feet late in the 11th. Holt, his manager/assistant trainer, Henry Cortes, and head trainer Aroz Gist all attempted to protest the stoppage, but Rodriguez dismissed their complaints in the ring, which quickly filled with fans security personnel couldn't stop.
"(Rodriguez) didn't say anything (in the ring)," Holt said. "He said, 'Move. It's over. You were hurt.' "
Their exchange was much more heated in the lobby of the Barranquilla Plaza Hotel once Holt arrived from the nearby arena. While walking past Rodriguez, who was talking with other WBO officials, an emotional Holt screamed obscenities at Rodriguez for actions Holt believes cost him the WBO's 140-pound crown. Rodriguez responded by telling Holt, "**** you!," and then moved toward Holt, before bystanders intervened. [details]
Holt was ahead of World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Ricardo Torres on two of three scorecards entering the 11th round, but Torres dropped Holt near Holt's corner with a right hand that gave the hometown hero a chance to complete a remarkable comeback. What transpired thereafter, though, is open to interpretation.
As Holt tried to use his legs and held to avoid another powerful punch from Torres (32-1, 28 KOs) in the 11th round, he continuously slipped on what was an extremely slick surface caused by fans hurling innumerable full beer cans and bottles and cans of soda and water into the ring. With flying ice cubes, liquids, plastic and aluminum seemingly endangering the safety of Holt and Torres, referee Genaro Rodriguez, who also appeared to stand directly in harm's way, declined to halt the action so that the surface could be dried and order could be restored around ringside.
The Chicago-based referee instead stopped the fight with a tiring, retreating Holt (22-2, 12 KOs) still on his feet late in the 11th. Holt, his manager/assistant trainer, Henry Cortes, and head trainer Aroz Gist all attempted to protest the stoppage, but Rodriguez dismissed their complaints in the ring, which quickly filled with fans security personnel couldn't stop.
"(Rodriguez) didn't say anything (in the ring)," Holt said. "He said, 'Move. It's over. You were hurt.' "
Their exchange was much more heated in the lobby of the Barranquilla Plaza Hotel once Holt arrived from the nearby arena. While walking past Rodriguez, who was talking with other WBO officials, an emotional Holt screamed obscenities at Rodriguez for actions Holt believes cost him the WBO's 140-pound crown. Rodriguez responded by telling Holt, "**** you!," and then moved toward Holt, before bystanders intervened. [details]
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