Vernon Paris says bring on Kendall Holt

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Unbeaten Detroit junior welterweight prospect Vernon Paris accepted a challenge from the handlers of former belt-holder Kendall Holt over Twitter on Friday.

Holt’s manager New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs told Stiff Jab he would like to see his man fight Paris or Tim “Pit Bull” Coleman after his 1st-round KO of Lenin Arroyo earlier this month on the undercard of Devon Alexander-Tim Bradley in Pontiac, Mich.

On Friday Paris responded that he is up for the challenge.

“Tell him to set it up we not worried,” Paris tweeted in response to Jacobs.

Holt (26-4, 14 KOs) is looking to resurrect his career after back-to-back losses to Tim Bradley and Kaizer Mabuza in his two fights before Arroyo. His last win had been a split decision against Demetrius Hopkins for the WBO 140-lb. belt in December 2008.

Paris (24-0, 14 KOs) did not impress against Emanuel Augustus on the same card in Pontiac; the hometown fans ended up booing his points win after another near-collapse in the late rounds. He is scheduled to fight the undefeated Mike Alvarado on the undercard of Juan Manuel Lopez-Orlando Salido on April 16 in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Showtime.

Holt appears set to fight next on the undercard of Sergio Martinez-Serhiy Dzinziruk at Foxwoods on March 12. No opponent has been named yet. If neither Coleman nor Paris answer the bell, Jacobs said he will bring Holt along slowly, letting him build up to contenders after a few easier fights.