Holly Holm’s Triumphant Return to Boxing
In a triumphant return to boxing, Holly Holm showcased her enduring talent on Saturday night, marking her first competitive bout in over a decade. Following a 12-year hiatus from the ring, the former UFC champion faced off against the unbeaten Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, during the undercard for Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. With decisive skill and strategy, Holm secured a commanding unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the 10-round contest in her favor, 100-90.
Holm’s Passion for Boxing
Holm, who is now 43 years old, conveyed her excitement about re-entering the boxing world, emphasizing her love for the sport and expressing a desire to reclaim her boxing career.
“I love kicking so much that I just loved MMA for awhile, but then I really started feeling this growing pain to want to box again,”
she noted. Despite facing the challenges of adapting back to the boxing ring—having only sparred twice in wrestling shoes and searching for her gear just before the fight—Holm felt at home once she began to operate in the ring.
“I haven’t sparred in a ring in I don’t know how long, so this feels cool.. is really BACK!”
Methodical Performance
Her performance was methodical and confident; from the first bell, she showed tactical superiority, effectively landing punches while evading her opponent’s attacks. In particular, Holm’s most dominant rounds came in the seventh and eighth, where she landed several clean left hooks that kept Ochoa from finding her rhythm. This bout is a significant milestone in Holm’s career, who is highly regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, having defended titles across three weight classes and earning her place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.
A Formidable Career
Holm’s earlier career in boxing was formidable, with 18 title defenses from 2002 to 2013, before she shifted her focus to mixed martial arts with resounding success. Notably, she stunned the MMA world in 2015 with a head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey, earning the UFC women’s bantamweight title in a historic upset. Although she encountered challenges, including several title fight losses in MMA and a recent exit from the UFC, where she stated she had ‘unfinished business’ in boxing, this victorious bout may pave the way for her future ambitions.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Holm expressed interest in continuing her boxing endeavors, hinting at potential matchups with top fighters like Stephanie Han and Amanda Serrano. Following her new deal with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, Holm’s aspirations for a title in a fourth weight class appear within reach after a promising return to form.
The card featuring Paul versus Chavez Jr. showcased an exciting evening of boxing, and Holm’s comeback adds to the anticipation of what lies ahead in her renowned career.
