The ten-round fight between Ardreal Holmes Jr. and Hugo Noriega lacked excitement until the judges’ decision was revealed. Holmes emerged victorious over Noriega with unanimous scores of 97-93 on two cards and 96-94 on the third at the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint, Michigan. Although the outcome was expected, the scores were closer than anticipated, with Holmes not needing to put in much effort to secure the win.
Reflecting on the match in his hometown, Holmes (16-0, 6 knockouts), a junior middleweight boxer from Flint, shared that it was a significant moment for him. While admitting it was not his best performance, he is determined to improve in his future fights. Unlike his previous quick knockout victory, Holmes adopted a more strategic approach this time.
The 30-year-old fighter controlled the fight with his southpaw jab and footwork, effectively keeping Noriega (10-3, 5 KOs) at a distance with minimal punches thrown. Despite Noriega’s lack of movement and aggression, Holmes displayed his boxing skills and clinched the win with ease.
Looking forward, Holmes expressed his desire to face top competitors in the 154-pound division, such as Erickson Lubin and Jermell Charlo, seeking more challenging matchups. In another match, Joseph Hicks from Grand Rapids, Michigan, emerged victorious over Ronnie Austion from Las Vegas in a junior middleweight contest through a unanimous decision.
