El Paso’s Stephanie Han needed all 10 rounds this time against Holly Holm but the result another win in the rematch at the El Paso County Coliseum in front of a sold out crowd of more than 7,000.
Han started strong and Holm stormed back in the middle to late rounds on Saturday, May 30, but in the end judge Wilfredo Esperon had it 95-95, while judges Nelson Vazquez and Sergio Caiz each scored it 96-94 for Han, who retained her WBA title.
The Han and Holm fight was unique on ESPN as part of four female world championship fights, a first for El Paso.
Most Valuable Promotions, which is invested heavily into women’s boxing, was the promoter and it was the first time it had an El Paso show,
Holm had the edge in punches landed, 107-70 and Holm threw 437 punches to Han’s 358.
Han won the first fight on Jan. 3 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by a technical unanimous decision after the ringside doctor stopped the fight due to a cut on Han;s forehead.
The win improves Han’s record to 13-0, while Holm falls to 34-4-3. The win against Holm was Han’s third defense of the title defense she won over Hannah Terlep in 2025.
How the fight played out
Han was steady in the first five rounds, using her quickness and hand speed to control the action. Han was strong in the first five rounds on defense, moving her head well and not giving Holm a chance to land good cominations.
Han was cut on the side of her right eye early in the second round, but it didn’t seem to affect her the remainder of the way.
But Holm, who vowed to have a better showing in the rematch, began to assert herself in the second half of the fight. She landed several straight left hands and changed her defensive strategy by circling to her right and making it harder for Han to land right hands.
What Holly Holm said
“You have to win six rounds in a 10 round fight to earn a decision, and she didn’t feel like Stephanie Han got there,” Holm said. “Honestly, I feel like I won that fight. Not any disrespect to Han, but I felt like the fight was mine. I felt I was dominating the pace, bringing the pressure.”
What did Stephanie Han say
“I know it was a close fight, but I felt I did enough to win,” she said. “I wasn’t surprised how she brought the fight. I knew she was prepared,” Han said.
“My corner said it was close, we need these final rounds,” Han said.
What’s next for Stephanie Han?
Han mentioned fighting unified junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor of Ireland, but also mentioned fighting WBO and WBC lightweight champion Caroline Dubois, who was present at the fight and the post-fight press conference.
Dubois challenged Han to a fight and Han said she would love to fight Dubois, But Han certainly wants to seek a fight with Taylor first.
“I want Katie Taylor,” Han said. “She beat my sister Jennifer. I want the revenge fight. I’ll go to Ireland.”
What’s next for Holly Holm?
Holm could very well be in line for another fight with a big name in boxing world such as Taylor. Or it is possible a third fight with Han might be in the cards.
Holm could also go back to MMA and seek a fight there.
Amanda Serrano retains featherweight titles
Puerto Rican boxing star Amanda Serrano defeated Germany’s Cheyenne Hanson by second-round TKO to retain her unified featherweight titles, with the fight stopped at 2:25 by referee Robert Hoyle.
With the win, Serrano earned her 49th career victory and tied Christy Martin for the most knockouts in women’s boxing history with 32. She took control in the second round after using the opening round to read Hanson and find her rhythm.
“I felt strong,” Serrano said. “I used the first round as an opportunity to see what she had.”
Fighting in front of a supportive El Paso crowd, the Puerto Rican champion brought energy early and delivered a dominant finish, showcasing the power that has defined her career.
Desley Robinson retains middleweight titles
Australia’s Desley Robinson retained her IBF and WBO belts by out-working and outlanding former junior middleweight champ champion Mary Spencer of Canada, 100-90, 100-90,99-91.
Robinson is now 12-3 and Spencer is 10-4
Junior flyweight champ Lourdes Juarez edges Yokasta Valle
WBC junior-flyweight titlist Lourdes Juarez of Mexico used scored a 10th-round knockdown to split decision win by scores of 95-94, 94-95, 98-91 over Costa Rica’s WBC minimumweight champion Yokasta Valle.
The 39-year-old Juarez is now 40-4, while Valle drops to 34-4.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm 2 boxing card results