Richard Holmes, one of Jamaica’s top middleweight boxers, left the country yesterday for Guyana where he is expected in the ring against Guyanese boxer Mark Austin in the undercard middleweight contest of a title fight involving DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley, in Georgetown on Saturday night.

Holmes failed some six weeks ago in his bid to lift the Wray & Nephew Contender Boxing Series Welterweight title. He will, however, re-enter the ring at a bodyweight of 156 lb, 10lb heavier than he did on last when he failed for a second time to win the Wray & Nephew Contender Series welterweight crown.

This, however, was after his title hopes were dashed by Corley with a seventh round TKO loss at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica on July 2.

The boxer’s coach Carl Grant has said that Holmes is ready for this fight as he has healed satisfactory from his injury which forced him to surrender the Contender Welterweight title to the former WBO, NABF and USBA light welterweight champion Corley in the 10-round contest.

For his return to the boxing ring after a month’s rest and his reconditioning at Sakima’s Gym in Oracabessa, St Mary, Holmes is expected to give a good account of himself as he appears in the six-round bout of a confirmed lively title fight card.

The Jamaican gloveman has a fairly impressive ring record of 13 wins with six defeats from 19 professional fights. During his campaign, Holmes has the distinction of being the first boxer with a big right to step forward and drop Corley to his knees for the first time in his long and illustrious career of 76 fights with 26 KOs, for the mandatory eight-count in the fifth round of their fight in Jamaica. Six of Holmes’ victories came by way of the knockout route.

While Holmes has never lifted the Contender Series title, 18 of his 19 fights came while campaigning in the series over its six years in operation and has benefited from his participation by experience and earnings.

With this level of preparation under his belt and his recent good showing against Corley, coach Grant sees this as “a plus” for Holmes.

Following Holmes’ performance against Corley, the American gloveman declared afterwards: “I thought he put up a hell of a fight and that was why I had to call on my superior boxing skill to weather the storm that was building.”

Little is known of Austin, Grant said: “But what I know is four of the fighters from Guyana who have beaten Austin were beaten by Holmes while appearing in the local Wray & Nephew Contender Boxing Series. Nonetheless, we are expecting a good fight from him and nothing is being left to chance as this could be a big opportunity for Holmes.”

Meanwhile, Austin does have a ring record of nine wins, eight losses and one draw in 18 fights to his credit.