LEROY BROWN, STAR Writer

The young brigade has taken over, and on Saturday, July 11, Richard 'Frog' Holmes, 27, will meet Kemahl 'The Hitman' Russell, 26, in the Wray & Nephew Contender middleweight finals.

Holmes earned his spot in the finals last Wednesday, with a close, hard-fought victory over popular Tsetsi Davis, a Contender veteran, at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium.

After eight bruising rounds, judge Peter Richards scored the fight 77-75 for Holmes, judge Clifford Brown had it 79-73 for Davis, and judge Eion Jardine had it 76-76.

Under Contender rules, a winner must be named, and in the tie- breaker, judge Jardine gave the edge to Holmes, to give him a majority decision 2-1.

When Holmes and Russell meet in the finals they will be vying for the Wray & Nephew Middleweight Contender 2015 title, and the first prize of $2 million. The runner-up takes home $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth pace $200,000.

The outcome of Wednesday's fight ensures that two new faces will contest the final.

Davis had been to the finals on two other occasions, losing to Devon Moncriffe as a middleweight, and to Sakima Mullings as a welterweight. He vowed that this was his year to take the title, but Holmes has crushed those hopes.

The Holmes camp was elated after the fight, and trainer Carl Grant said that after a short period of rest, they will start preparation for the finals.

"That is the one that we must win," he stated.

A disappointed Davis told STAR Sports that he believed that he had won, and that although frustrated, he will be continuing his career.

"I love boxing and I am going to continue with it," he stated.