In a night that will be remembered for its high stakes and unexpected turns, Stephanie Han emerged victorious against the legendary Holly Holm. The bout, which took place on January 3rd at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a co-main event that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Han, with an unblemished record of 11-0-0 and 3 knockouts, entered the ring as the No.8 women’s lightweight in the world. Her recent victories over Miranda Reyes, Hannah Terlep, and Paulina Angel had set the stage for this pivotal match. Holm, a former UFC and multi-time boxing champion, brought a wealth of experience with a record of 34-2-3 and 9 knockouts, ranked No.6 in the women’s lightweight division.
The fight was a 10-round women’s lightweight bout, valid for the WBA women’s world lightweight title. From the outset, Han demonstrated her speed and precision, consistently outboxing Holm. Despite Holm’s flashes of her signature timing, she struggled to keep up with Han’s relentless pace. Han’s sharp right hands and combinations found their mark, keeping Holm on the defensive.
The bout took an unexpected turn in the seventh round when an accidental headbutt caused a significant cut, forcing the ringside doctor to stop the fight at 1:44. The judges’ scorecards were called into action, and Han was declared the winner via technical decision with scores of 69-65, 68-65, and 69-64.
This victory marks the biggest win of Han’s career, showcasing her championship mettle. At 35, Han has proven herself as a formidable force in the lightweight division. Her ability to defend her title against a seasoned veteran like Holm speaks volumes about her skill and determination.
The main event of the evening saw Amanda Serrano defeat Reina Tellez via unanimous decision, despite fighting through a nasty and swollen right eye. The night was filled with high-octane action, but it was Han’s technical victory over Holm that left a lasting impression.
As the boxing world looks ahead, Han’s triumph over Holm will undoubtedly be a talking point. Her performance has solidified her place among the elite in women’s boxing, and fans eagerly await her next move in the ring.
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