Torres, Holt eager for rematch

Ricardo Torres has heard all of Kendall Holt's complaining in the aftermath of their Sept. 1 meeting, and his advice to Holt is "shut up and fight."

The two 140-pounders will meet Saturday at Planet Hollywood as Torres defends his WBO junior welterweight title. Their first fight in Torres' hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, was filled with controversy and ended with Torres scoring an 11th-round technical-knockout victory.

Holt (23-2, 12 knockouts) complained afterward that between the debris being thrown into the ring and the work of the referee, he didn't get a fair shake.

"He's just a sore loser," Torres said Saturday at Planet Hollywood as the two boxers had a news conference to promote their rematch. "He had the fight in his own hands, and he didn't take advantage of it."

Torres said he's not worried about whether he gets a fair shake in Nevada in the rematch.

"I would worry about the judges if it was going to go 12 rounds," he said. "But I don't see it going that long. This fight will be easier than the first one because I know what he does. I've trained really well for this fight, and I'll be ready for anything he does. Yes, we made some mistakes, but we'll correct them this time."

Torres (32-1, 28 KOs) said retaining the title is foremost in his mind.

"He'll never have a better chance to beat me than when we met the first time," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, he can do all the complaining he wants to. All I'm worried about is bringing my title back home to Colombia."

Showtime will televise the fight.

• HBO DOWNSIZES -- Usually, HBO's Pay-Per-View fights have a three-man announcing team, four counting Harold Lederman, the network's in-house judge.

On Saturday, one less voice was on the PPV telecast of the WBC lightweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz, as Jim Lampley and Manny Steward handled the announcing chores. No Larry Merchant or Max Kellerman to offer additional insight, as is usually the case.

HBO spokesman Ray Stal-lone said it was a production decision.

"We determined that we could efficiently do this event and maintain quality by using Jim and Manny on the broadcast team," Stallone said. "Harold will join them in his unofficial judging role. There is a production savings, which helps for later in the year."

• TOP RANK SIGNEE -- Nonito Donaire, the IBF flyweight champion, has signed with Top Rank. He hopes to rack up championships like his hero and fellow Filipino, Manny Pacquiao.

"I'm going to give it all I have, just like Pacquiao," said the 25-year-old Donaire (19-1, 12 KOs). "He's an inspiration to me and everyone in the Philippines. I want to fight the best that are out there, so let's bring them."

Top Rank president Bob Arum said the plan is to have Donaire, who has fought professionally for seven years, to fight in October in Macau, hopefully against Fernando Montiel.

Arum said the contract with Donaire is for three years with three fights per year.

• GAMBOA RETURNS -- Rising super featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa returns to Southern Nevada on July 18 at Buffalo Bill's in Primm when he meets veteran Jose Rojas in a 10-round bout as part of a Golden Boy Promotions card.

But Gamboa will fight under the direction of a new trainer.

Gamboa (10-0, eight KOs) will have Orlando Cuellar working his corner after Osmiri Fernandez was fired following Gamboa's 10-round unanimous decision win over Darling Jiminez on May 17.

Ahmet Oner, who promotes Gamboa, was not happy with Gamboa's performance. He blamed Fernandez and went after him in the dressing room. After the two got into a heated verbal exchange, Oner fired him.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.