Wakefield pro Keanan Holford ready to move up after second stoppage victory
Wakefield lightweight boxer Keanan Holford is delighted at winning what he hopes will be his last four-round bout before he steps up to a six-round fight hopefully in December.
Keanan won his sixth professional match when he defeated Essex man Jack England, who retired with an ankle injury in the third round, writes James Bovington.
“I’d hoped to fight on the April show organised by my manager Wayne Woods, but I was ill in the spring, so I hadn’t boxed since my points win over Kasey Bradnum in January,” said Keanan.
"I was excited to get back in the ring. I know I put on a solid performance right from the outset and remained sharp, calm and accurate throughout.
"I landed some hard shots to the body and in the third caught him with a backhand that dipped his knees sending him to the canvas. This was my second stoppage victory.”
Former Outwood Academy City Fields student and now warehouse worker Keanan, 23, joined the paid ranks in summer 2024.
“The onus is on home boxers like me to sell tickets and I’m delighted that a hundred or so people purchased mine and provided the traditional strong vocal support typical of Wakefield boxing fans,” he said.
"I’m scheduled to fight at Barnsley Metrodome again in December and against another southerner, Mark Butler. The plan is for this to be my first six-round contest.
“I’m coached by Ric Bennett at Trinity Boxing Club along with Andrea Cikalleshi. He should be the main event on the December show as he’s down to box Louis West, from East Yorkshire, over 10 rounds for British Boxing’s vacant central area title at super-lightweight."
All elite athletes require sponsorship. Keanan appreciates the contribution made by Anytime Travel, The Grooming Loft, Trenchless Group, The Scarborough Arms and The Swan with Two Necks. Further potential sponsors can contact him via Facebook Messenger Keanan Samuel Holford or his father Melvyn Holford Wolstencroft. Or e-mail [email protected]