Holly Holm Faces Setback in Career
In a surprising turn of events, Holly Holm, the Hall of Fame boxer, experienced a rare setback after suffering two consecutive defeats for the first time in her illustrious career. The most recent loss came in a controversial rematch against Stephanie Han in El Paso, Texas, where the fight concluded with a contentious majority decision in favor of Han. Previously, the pair’s initial encounter ended prematurely in January due to a cut inflicted by an accidental head-butt. Holm, 44, remains adamant that she deserved to win the latest bout, yet she has not revisited the match footage to reassess her performance.
Frustration and Controversy
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Holm articulated her frustration stemming from both battles against Han, stating,
“Life always goes on… but I’m definitely frustrated. Both fights having controversy at the end, it’s just disheartening.”
She emphasized the extensive preparation she undertook for both fight camps, believing firmly that she had the upper hand despite the judges’ verdicts.
Match Analysis
In the rematch, the scorecards reflected a narrow contest, with two judges scoring it 96-94 in favor of Han, while a third called it a 95-95 draw. Holm felt that she started slow but eventually took control of the match.
“I felt like I was dictating the pace and was in control for the most part,”
she reflected. Despite her belief in her performance, Holm acknowledged the challenge of competing in Han’s hometown and the potential impact of local sentiment on the judges.
During the fight, she felt the referee’s focus seemed uneven, frequently chastising her while overlooking infractions from Han. Holm mentioned her awareness of the fine line between addressing the referee’s actions and risking unfavorable opinions, saying,
“You don’t want to get on their bad side.”
Future Considerations
As Holm contemplates her future in the sport, she has hinted at retirement, especially following her latest setback. Although she indicated she is not quite ready to hang up her gloves, she acknowledged that she might wrap up her career within the next year or so, potentially around 2026.
Should the opportunity arise, Holm remains open to big fights, whether in boxing or MMA, emphasizing that she wants her final matches to be meaningful.
“I just want big fights… I’m definitely like, within the year I’m done. That’s where I’m at,”
she stated candidly.
Potential Opponents
Among potential opponents, Gina Carano, who recently made her return to MMA, has emerged as a name Holm would be keen to face. The two share a mutual respect, and Holm remarked on the likelihood of such a bout occurring only if both fighters agree. Carano previously praised Holm as one of the hardest-working athletes she has encountered, reinforcing the camaraderie between them.
Legacy and Future Fights
As Holm analyzes her career trajectory post-defeat, she remains focused not only on her immediate future but also on ensuring that her remaining fights resonate with fans and honor her legacy in combat sports.
