Paul Holt is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps when he challenges for the vacant Midlands Area Super Featherweight belt on Black Country Boxing’s ‘High Stakes’ show at Walsall Town Hall, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Saturday, 24th September.
The Birmingham boxer will top the bill when he takes on Tamworth’s 26-year-old Louis Fielding for the strap that was recently vacated by Coventry’s Troy James. Holt is looking to make it second time lucky as he was defeated by Bobby Jenkinson last summer for the featherweight version of the crown, in a fight which left him nursing a broken jaw.
His father, Mark, won the Midlands Featherweight belt in 1990 and the 25-year-old admits this has given him extra motivation to replicate his dad’s achievement.
“I would love to have this belt and get to the same level that he was at,” Holt told www.uko-boxing.com. “Back in his day I think the competition was even harder with the calibre of fighters but it would be fantastic to get to the same level that he was at.
“I am quite happy to fight anyone; I haven’t really got an aim after this fight to be honest. I will just keep working hard and just see where my ability and will can allow me to go.”
Holt feels he is better prepared this time than he was 15 months as he has been given longer notice for the bout this time round. He admits that he hasn’t paid too much attention to his opponent, Fielding, who has more wins on his record and also a height advantage over Holt, who is concentrating on his own performance first and foremost.
“I am not really sure about Fielding if I am honest, I don’t know too much about him. I want to focus on myself and make sure I am ready. I will take the fight as it comes and I will work him out in the first round and see what he is about and then I will take it from there.
“Everything is going really well and I am working hard in training and getting the rounds in sparring so I will be fully prepared for the fight.
“I am at a better weight this time than I was last time. I feel like I am at my natural weight now which is great because I do not have to push myself to make the weight or anything like that. Also I have had more notice for this so I have been able to prepare exactly how I want and get in the best possible shape.”
Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.
The weigh-in and aftershow (over 18’s only) take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6). GC Walsall will have a presence at the Town Hall on the evening and have linked up with local taxi firm, Yellow Taxi’s, to supply a number of free taxi’s to take guests from the Town Hall to the casino post-fight.
Find out more about Grosvenor Casino Walsall here: http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/local-casinos/walsall/
