Ear To The Street
Keith Holmes
The Eternal Soldier
His first pro fight was against a guy named Kilpatrick Mitchell. Keith seemed unbeatable even though he had a hiccup in his first ten fights when he lost to Ronald Hammond. Keith just seemed to have the number of everybody he fought, racking up win after win. It was all just business as usual for Keith. Keith knew in his heart that he would eventually be a champion if he continued to stay on track, but the rest of the world figured it out after his fight with Kelcie Banks in Atlantic City in 1994. Keith knocked-out the Olympic Bronze medalist in the 3rd round and shortly thereafter made good work of his inner-city rival Andrew Council to win his first title match (USBA Title). The two men would meet again later on in their careers with a lot more on the line, and Keith would again comes out on top in a fight that was pure electric.
Keith Holmes' first world title came against Quincy Taylor. Quincy was a seasoned fighter who had become champion by fighting some top contenders, but it didn't matter to Keith. Keith had said how he would beat Quincy and did just what he said he would do. The first three rounds were all Keith playing chess, and the fight continued that way until the ninth round until Taylor was worn down and knocked-out.
Keith was able to defend his title for two fights until he met Hacine Sherifi. Holmes lose a decision, but got it together and knocked Sherifi out in the seventh. Holmes became only the 14th boxer to do such a thing, that is, win a world title back from the person who took it from the boxer. By regaining his title and also beating the two hard hitting seasoned boxers in Taylor and Council, Keith Holmes set himself up for the big showdown against Bernard Hopkins.
Bernard is another scientist in the ring so this would prove to be a serious chess match when the two of them got in the ring. Bernard was the IBF Champion fighting in his hometown of Philly, while Keith was the WBC Champion. This fight went the distance, and Bernard won a unanimous decision. Keith said, "I just wasn't as ready as Bernard was. He obviously wanted it more. It was his time." Keith still hasn't ended his career. He's in good enough shape to fight right now, today. He and Bernard are good friends, and they communicate regularly. Keith has the build and the stamina to contend with the young boxers of today, and he has suggested that he just may give it a shot. "I'm not retired and I won't ever retire," Keith tells us. "I keep myself up, I'm a vegan, and I feel great."
Read more on Keith and what he's doing today in our last and final article tomorrow. Meanwhile, click here to find out about why he's set to be honored on September 19th with other DC Boxing Champions.
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