Holly Holm (pictured) has built a legendary combat sports resume as a former boxing champion in boxing and former UFC champion in mixed martial arts. Holm's biggest accomplishment is her stunning upset victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in 2015, where she won the UFC Bantamweight Championship, but her legacy also rests on her unparalleled success as the only fighter to win major titles in both boxing and MMA. Now, the 44 year-old Holm has a chance to do something she has never done throughout her historic career — win a lightweight world championship in the sweet science. Holm will try to do just that Saturday night when she challenges undefeated WBA lightweight titleholder Stephanie Han at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and live globally on DAZN. Both fighters are signed to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The bout will serve as the co-feature to the Amanda Serrano vs. Reina Tellez headliner.
Last June, Holm (34-2-3, 9 KOs) returned to boxing for the first time since May 2013, outpointing Yolanda Vega toward a unanimous decision shutout.
The 35 year-old Han (11-0, 3 KOs) is coming off the best pro year of her career, having claimed the WBA title with a first-round knockout of Hannah Terlep in February before generating a unanimous decision over Paulina Angel for her first title defense.
Holm does not waste movement in the ring with efficient footwork, steady work behind the jab and a clean left hand that tends to repeatedly find its mark. When her opponents get overzealous, Holm often makes them pay via crisp counterpunching. That is what Han will have to be cautious about as the WBA lightweight world champion does her best work inside but can get erratic — something a savvy sweet scientist like Holm will take advantage of.
Both fighters have pop to their punch but are more boxers than power punchers. That being said, while Han is capable of doing damage with heavy-handed inside work, she often gets careless in exchanges as aforementioned. This could leave her vulnerable to a sharp counter from Holm.
Holm is nine years older than Han but with that age comes plenty of experience and ring savvy as this marks the 40th pro boxing bout for the combat sports legend. Plus, she responded to a lengthy period away from boxing by returning to the sweet science and looking sharp as the veteran ring operator that she is.
That is a lot to overcome for Han, but the champion is welcoming Holm to the lowest weight she has competed for a title in. That, and Han has been coveting this chance for quite some time, sharing during the press conference “for me to win against Holly Holm means everything I sacrificed is worth it” and adding “it’s a dream to beat Holly Holm.”
Could that motivation force Han raise her performance to another level? She sounds ready to. The onus is on her to follow through in the ring. Until that happens, Holm has the edge here, too.
