‘Frog’ leaps to victory in Contender opener
Designated favourite Richard “Frog” Holmes eased into the second round as he kicked off the eighth Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender boxing series on a positive note for Jamaica at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Wednesday night.
The veteran campaigner scored a unanimous points decision over Canadian opponent Lloyd Reyes over five rounds.
It was a somewhat lacklustre display from Holmes as it lacked the industry and force of presence which characterises his approach. But somewhere around the third and fourth rounds, he stepped up his activity and showed what he is truly capable of.
During that explosive period by Holmes, Reyes had to take elusive action as he tried to get out of harm’s way. During this feverish period even when the “Frog” connected with his head shots, Reyes demonstrated that he can take a punch.
Holmes returned for the final round somewhat subdued as the fight was basically in the bag.
Holmes came out of the fight unscathed and now moves into the next round
“The main objective was to win. I achieved that. But it is early days yet and my intention was to stay with the five rounds so that I will be able to get in some useful time in the ring under my belt and begin to knock some ring rust off my legs and shoulders.
“I thought it was a good opening session to start with; I will look much better as the series continues. I will be back in training after a short rest and after that will continue a more rigid schedule and I will get much stronger,” Holmes said.
Reyes, on the other hand, was disappointed with his performance.
“I can do much better, but no matter what he threw at me, (I) am still standing.
“I felt good in the ring, but I just have to move a little more and fight a little better. I will have to go back to the drawing board and retool some of my approaches then get back in the ring,” he said.
The three judges had an easy task in scoring the bout as they all scored it in favour of Holmes. Canadian judge Jeremy Hayes made it 50-45, while his Jamaican counterparts Ransford Burton and Lindel Allen both scored it 48-47.