First Victory Raises Holt’s Hopes in the Ring – by Tom Chard/Staff Writer

Laurie Holt’s professional boxing career to date, consists of four fights against the same opponent–not quite the makings of a champion.  But consider the opponent.

Holt’s only foe has been Cheryl Brown, the world’s fourth-ranked women’s featherweight.  Prior to a week ago, Holt, 20, of Waterville had lost three straight.  But her last time out was a victory over Brown on a split decision.

It was the first time women boxers in the state had gone 10 rounds.  In 30 minutes of action, Holt went from being just another fighter to one with hopes for a shot at the vacant world title.

Despite her limited appearances, Holt was ranked 10th by one boxing poll.  But boxing polls are sometimes suspect and activity among female boxers infrequent enough to acquire a good idea of a division.  Just the same, Holt looks to move up in the rankings following her victor.  Her trainer, Bob Sylvia, doesn’t feel she’ll replace Brown in the fourth spot, but feels she could move up to sixth.

“Laurie has a good future in the sport if she continues to work as hard as she has been, ” says Sylvia.

“She has a deceiving record.  I don’t believe anybody in the state can stay with her.  She’ll have to fight out-of-state if she wants to really improve.

It was shortly after her third loss to Brown that Holt decided to give Sylvia a call to see if he could get her career moving in the right direction.  Her first two fights against Brown were close.  The third one was a clear decision for Brown.  Holt had been fighting only a year, but she knew things should improve.

She contacted Sylvia in November, and since then, has been training with a purpose.  She works out five days a week, two to three hours each session.  A typical day in the gym for the 5’6” 128-pounder includes eight to 10 rounds with the speed bag, 500 situps, sparring two or three rounds and running 2 1/2 miles.  All this after working a regular shift at Hathaway Shirts in Waterville.

Sylvia, 47, has been handling fighters for 27 years.  A native of Fall River, Mass., he fought in his younger days and he curretly trains a pair of Golden Glove champions.  Sylvia describes Holt as a classic fighter who bobs and weaves quite well.

Holt didn’t know she would fight Brown until a week before the bout.

“We took it at the last minute,” says Sylvia.  “I’m not sure when her next fight will be.  Everything has happened so fast that I think it’s smart to slow down.  If Cheryl does want a rematch we’ll give it to her.  She was nice enought to give Laurie a chance.  I’m not sure she would want one.”

For Brown, it was her first pro defeat in six outings.

Sylvia plans to talk with some contacts in Massachusetts in hopes of arranging future fights.

Copyrighted story/Waterville news/Tom Chard-staff writer