The 14 month layoff only showed in the first 3 rounds of the fight against Kendall Holt. Holt came out early working the jab and out pointing Peterson in rounds 1-3. Peterson became more aggressive by moving forward and throwing hard body shots that Holt showed with grimacing looks. The game plan that Holt said he had for the fight didn't seem to last very long. Peterson stepped up the pace even more by landing right and left hands to the head of Holt. Peterson put Holt down twice in the fight. 
Referee Tony Weeks started to take a good look at Holt after the second knockdown. This was the first bout Weeks ever refereed on the east coast, but not the first title fight. He is a veteran referee of title fights.http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=401026&cat=referee
In round 8 Peterson saw that Holt was breaking down and took advantage of Holt backing up into the ropes. Peterson kept him on the ropes and started to land solid head shots between and behind the gloves of Holt. Referee Tony Weeks knew that Holt had enough and jumped in to save Holt from more punishment.
Photos by Juan Marshall
