/ 15 February 2000

No picnic for Holiday

DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | Tuesday 11.15am.

FORMER International Boxing Federation lightweight world champion Philip Holiday will attempt to recapture his lost glory when challenging for the IBC welterweight world title in Denmark on Friday night.

He faces undefeated European champion Thomas Damgaard for the vacant crown.

Holiday was once regarded as one of the best world champions in the lightweight division and only lost the title to superstar Shane Moseley after making five successful defences of the crown.

Holiday’s major handicap in his bid for the welterweight title is his height and lack of punching power.

Holiday was in 1997 acclaimed as the fittest and one of the hardest-working men in world boxing by the authoritative American “Ring” boxing magazine, but he’s going to need to dig deep if he’s to beat Damgaard.

The Swede is a foot taller than Holiday and is known to be a big puncher.

Mike Segal who is promoting this world title clash in conjunction with Morgens Palle of Denmark is pretty confident of his man’s chances however.

So much so that Holiday has signed a four fight contract to defend his title in Denmark, if he’s successful.

Holiday will be without long-term trainer/manager Harold Volbrecht on the night of the fight, as Volbrecht will be in the corners of his two WBU world champions Corrie Sanders and Sebastian Rothman on Saturday night at the triple world title bill being held at Carnival City.