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Fight time is almost here for El Paso's Stephanie Han and Albuquerque's Holly Holm.
The two boxers, along with six other fighters, met for a final news conference on Thursday, May 28, ahead of Saturday's ESPN-televised fight card at the El Paso County Coliseum.
Han (12-0, 3 KOs) and Holm (34-3-3, 9 KOs) were, as usual, respectful of each other leading up to their WBA lightweight title fight in a rematch of their Jan. 3 fight in which Han defeated Holm by technical decision after a cut on Han's forehead caused the fight to be stopped.
The two also spoke about the significance of Saturday's fight card, which features four title fights all involving women.
All four title fights will be 10 rounds, and the Han vs. Holm and Amanda Serrano vs. Cheyenne Hansen will have three-minute rounds like all men's fights are. Many of the women's fights are still two minutes long.
"We have shown we can fight three-minute rounds," Han said. "Women boxers are tremendous athletes and I'm grateful that we have a great show like this in El Paso to show off to everyone. Holly is a great champion and she'll be ready. I feel strong and had a great camp. I am ready."
Holm, who is a three-time world boxing champion and a former UFC champ, has won many big fights in her career. One of her biggest wins came in a decision win vs. Annie Sophie Mathis in June of 2012. Mathis had previously defeated Holm by stoppage in December of 2011.
"I'm the type of fighter who is honest with myself," Holm said. "I work hard to get better and continue to learn and adjust. Me and Stephanie shared a ring before and we learned a lot about each other."
Mexico's Lourdes Juarez (39-4, 5 KO's) is one of the top fighters in the world and will defend her WBC junior flyweight title against Costa Rica's Yoksta Valle (34-3, 10 KO's).
The 39-year-old turned pro in 2013 and is the younger sister of world champion Mariana Juarez.
Canadian boxer Mary Spencer (10-3, 6 KOs), who will challenge Desley Robinson (11-3, 4 KOs) for the unified world middleweight championship, praised both Stephanie Han and her sister Jennifer, a former IBF featherweight champion.
"I saw Jennifer fight in an amateur event in Taiwan and she was a great fighter," Spencer said. "To be on the undercard of a Stephanie Hand and Holly Holm undercard is something special."
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Stephanie Han and Holly Holm ready for title rematch
Continue reading...
The two boxers, along with six other fighters, met for a final news conference on Thursday, May 28, ahead of Saturday's ESPN-televised fight card at the El Paso County Coliseum.
Han (12-0, 3 KOs) and Holm (34-3-3, 9 KOs) were, as usual, respectful of each other leading up to their WBA lightweight title fight in a rematch of their Jan. 3 fight in which Han defeated Holm by technical decision after a cut on Han's forehead caused the fight to be stopped.
The two also spoke about the significance of Saturday's fight card, which features four title fights all involving women.
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All four title fights will be 10 rounds, and the Han vs. Holm and Amanda Serrano vs. Cheyenne Hansen will have three-minute rounds like all men's fights are. Many of the women's fights are still two minutes long.
"We have shown we can fight three-minute rounds," Han said. "Women boxers are tremendous athletes and I'm grateful that we have a great show like this in El Paso to show off to everyone. Holly is a great champion and she'll be ready. I feel strong and had a great camp. I am ready."
Holly Holm in rematch fights
Holm, who is a three-time world boxing champion and a former UFC champ, has won many big fights in her career. One of her biggest wins came in a decision win vs. Annie Sophie Mathis in June of 2012. Mathis had previously defeated Holm by stoppage in December of 2011.
"I'm the type of fighter who is honest with myself," Holm said. "I work hard to get better and continue to learn and adjust. Me and Stephanie shared a ring before and we learned a lot about each other."
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Mexico's Lourdes Juarez has had successful career
Mexico's Lourdes Juarez (39-4, 5 KO's) is one of the top fighters in the world and will defend her WBC junior flyweight title against Costa Rica's Yoksta Valle (34-3, 10 KO's).
The 39-year-old turned pro in 2013 and is the younger sister of world champion Mariana Juarez.
Fighter Mary Spencer praises Han family
Canadian boxer Mary Spencer (10-3, 6 KOs), who will challenge Desley Robinson (11-3, 4 KOs) for the unified world middleweight championship, praised both Stephanie Han and her sister Jennifer, a former IBF featherweight champion.
"I saw Jennifer fight in an amateur event in Taiwan and she was a great fighter," Spencer said. "To be on the undercard of a Stephanie Hand and Holly Holm undercard is something special."
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Stephanie Han and Holly Holm ready for title rematch
Continue reading...
