Holly Holm is an icon of women’s boxing. After a successful career in the ring, the martial artist switched to MMA – before the 44-year-old surprisingly returned to boxing a few months ago. And with big goals.
When Holly Holm retired from boxing in 2013, women’s boxing was in a very different situation than it is today. Back then, the pioneer (34-2-3, 9 knockouts) was one of the few who could appear in the ring as a main event. In the meantime, more than twelve years have passed since Holm was last world champion in boxing. After retiring twelve years ago, the “Preacher’s Daughter” from Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), devoted herself entirely to the challenge of mixed martial arts. With success, as Holm became UFC champion – and thus the first female martial artist to become world champion in both boxing and MMA.
A passionate fighter
On Saturday (January 3), the now 44-year-old will once again fight for a world championship belt, albeit in women’s boxing. In her second fight since returning to the ring from the Octagon, Holm will challenge WBA world champion Stephanie Han. The fight will take place at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan (Puerto Rico) on the fight card of Serrano vs. Tellez and will be organized by Jake Paul’s “Most Valuable Promotions”, where Holm is under contract. Holm vs. Han is scheduled for ten rounds of three minutes like the men’s bout and will be televised by DAZN.
Just as Holly Holm once switched to MMA to take on new challenges, she returned to professional boxing a few months ago to prove herself once again. “I’m a fighter and I love to fight,” said the former world champion at a press conference. She has always followed her passion “wherever it has taken me – boxing for years and then a few years in MMA”.
Limit with a special appeal
When she saw that these boxers now had a completely different platform, her desire for a ring comeback was born. “I want to become champion and return to a sport that I’ve always enjoyed,” says Holm. The opportunity to fight at lightweight – a limit in which she has never boxed before – and for a world championship belt is particularly appealing.
Her opponent Stephanie Han (11-0, 3 knockouts) is undefeated to date. The 35-year-old from El Paso, Texas (USA), will defend her title for the second time on Saturday. Han captured the WBA lightweight belt in February with a first-round knockout of Hannah Terlep. “Fighting Holly Holm is like a dream come true,” said Han, who is a mother of two and works as a police officer.
Long a legend
Holm also has dreams. The daughter of preacher Roger Holm wants to become champion again in a sport that she once helped pave the way for and in which she became world champion in three different weight classes. Should the pioneer win, she would be the first and only female boxer to ever win a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2022).
Because women’s boxing is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, Holm not only wants to be part of this rise, but also take on a leadership role. She is always looking for something that she has never done before, or that no one else has done. Holm: “Coming back and winning another title in another limit is something that drives me.” And it’s not too late for that.
Text: Frank Schwantes