On Wednesday, February 18, Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley and Kendall “Rated R” Holt met at the historic Bell Centre in Montreal to kick off the promotion of their highly anticipated fight that will unify their respective WBC and WBO 140-pound titles. The two champions will clash Saturday, April 4, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The 12-round unification fight, co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., Gillett Entertainment Group and Choko Boxing will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
During Wednesday’s press conference the intensity was surprisingly palpable between Bradley and Holt, two of the more reserved and respectful athletes in the sport.
Transcription Highlights From Wednesday’s Press Conference:
BRADLEY: He is talking so much trash and he has never faced a guy like me. He lost twice and he’s been down eight times. In his last fight with Torres he went down twice before he knocked Torres out with a head butt.
He has a suspect chin and I will take it to him. Holt is lucky Torres did not make weight (for their planned third fight last Dec.) because I think he would have gotten knocked out.
HOLT: Bradley is a nice fighter but has no experience, not enough to beat me. He better hope and pray that he will win this fight. He said I have been down, but you can’t measure a fighter by his undefeated record. Champions are the ones that find a way to get off the canvas, fight and win. His ‘0’ has got to go.
BRADLEY (Responding to Holts comments):Â Oh, really? There is no way you are taking my belt, but I will take yours. You have no heart, I am here to take your heart out and take your belt along the way.
Following the heated press conference, as Bradley spoke to the local media, he showcased his official Canadiens hockey team jersey which both fighters received form the team’s management. The Montreal Canadiens are celebrating their 100-year anniversary as the oldest and most legendary team in the sport.
Afterwards, Montreal’s Mayor Gérald Tremblay welcomed both champions to City Hall for a ceremony hosted by the Mayor’s office. There Bradley and Holt signed the City’s Gold Book and were each presented with a special plaque of the city’s emblem.
Once the festivities ended an elated Bradley said: “Montreal has welcomed me with open arms. The people here are passionate about sports and excited about this fight. I promise not to disappoint them and I will unify the belts. This is a chance of a lifetime. I am definitely going to take advantage of it.”
On April 4, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Karyn Bryant reporting from ringside. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr., with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
