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HOLLY
“The Preacher’s Daughter” HOLM
21-1-2 (6 KOs)
Age: 26
Born: October 17, 1981 in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
7-Time World Champion, 3 Divisions
Reigning IFBA, IBA, WBC, WBA, WIBA & GBU Welterweight
Champion
A preacher’s
daughter growing up in New Mexico, Holly Holm got into
boxing through aerobics – actually kickboxing – and now
years later she is arguably the leading female
pound-for-pound boxer today with seven world title
belts, covering three different weight classes (light
welterweight to light middleweight), in her display
case.
Holm tried gymnastics, swimming and diving before she
got into kickboxing in 2002. She was 6-0 as an amateur
kick-boxer, including top honors in a national
championship, but soon switched to boxing and made her
pro debut January 24, 2002 in Albuquerque, defeating
Martha Deitchman by third-round TKO.
The 5’ 8” southpaw reeled-off five straight wins,
including four-round decisions against future world
title challengers Bonnie Mann and Stephanie Jaramillo,
before fighting a six-round draw with Jaramillo in 2003.
Two victories and another draw followed until Holly
suffered her first and only loss to Rita Turrisi, when
Holm was unable to continue after four rounds due to a
severe (3-inch) cut under her eye. Since that setback on
June 27, 2004, Holly has won 14 straight fights, six
world titles and defeated seven world champions.
Her first world title fight was only 5 ½ months after
suffering her lone loss, winning a 10-round decision
against world champ Terri Blair for the IBA light
welterweight crown. Two fights later, Holly made her
first title defense, stopping Lisa Lewis in the eighth
round, setting up a showdown against the most recognized
women’s boxer, legendary champion Christy Martin
(46-3-2). Holm pitched a near shutout, winning a
10-round decision by scores of 100-90 (twice) and 98-92,
in a non-title bout.
Next up for Holly was another world champion and Playboy
pin-up girl, Mia St. John (42-5-2), who Holm did pitch a
complete shutout against in their 10-round match (100-90
three times) for Holly’s light welterweight title belt.
Holly was later named the Albuquerque Hall of Fame’s
2005 Female Athlete of the Year.
Holm successfully defended her IBA light welterweight
championship for the third time, registering a
seventh-round technical knockout over Shadina Pennybaker,
followed four months later by a 10-round decision versus
Angelica Martinez for the vacant WBA welterweight title.
Holm threw another shutout (100-90 three times) in her
next fight, defending her IBA light welterweight crown
against multiple-world champion and pioneer of women’s
boxing in the United Kingdom, Jane Couch
Running out of quality opponents in the light
welterweight and welterweight divisions, Holly moved up
to light middleweight and, in another near flawless
performance on the judges’ scorecards (100-90 twice,
99-91), Holly won a 10-round decision for the IFBA
154-pound title against Tricia Turton.
In a 2007 bout against WBC lightweight champion
Ann-Marie Saccurato (12-1-2), Holly successfully
defended her WBA welterweight belt and captured the WIBA,
WBC and IFBA titles, taking a lop-sided 10-round
decision (98-91, 98-91, 97-92).
Holly turned in another scintillating performance
against world champion Chevelle Hallback (25-4-1) in a
non-title bout, winning a 10-round decision (100-90
twice and 98-92) in Albuquerque. Holm successfully
defended her IFBA welterweight belts in her last three
fights against, respectively, Martinez (DEC10) in a
rematch, Miriam Brakache (TKO7), and former world
title-holder Belinda Laracuente by 10-round decision on
February 7, 2008.
Holm -- the 2007 WBAN and The Ring, as well as
the IFBA 2006 & 2007 Fighter of the Year -- has a
perfect 10-0 record in world title fights. Named The
Ring magazine’s 2005 and 2006 Fighter of the Year, Holly
has fought on ESPN2 and The Best Damn Sports Show.
-HH-
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