Born in Ashton-under-Lyne and based in Manchester, Holden began his professional career in October 1994 with a 4th round stoppage of Gary Williams.
After a win and two defeats from his next three fights he fought Julius Francis in July 1996, losing on points.
In September Holden fought Keith Long in another eliminator for the British title but again lost on points.
[2] He made his return to the ring in September 2009 against Tomáš Mrázek, a boxer who had lost 22 of 28 fights.
In 2010 Holden was scheduled to compete in television knockout series but was omitted at the last minute Prizefighter.