Holly Holm Returns to Boxing and More News and Notes in Female Boxing

 

By David A. Avila

Holly Holm is back.

After 13 years of tussling, wrestling, punching and kicking her way through cage fights the ultra-athlete from New Mexico returns to the boxing ring.

“I’m excited to get back into boxing,” said Holm on social media. “I kind of miss it.”

Can she find success again?

Holm (33-2-3, 9 Kos) recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions and will face undefeated Mexican fighter Yolanda Vega (10-0, 1 KO) on Saturday June 28, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The Golden Boy Promotions and MVP card will be streamed on DAZN pay-per-view.

Once upon a time Holly Holm was one of the best boxers in the world. Once upon a time. The former champion from Albuquerque has decided to return and hopes to find similar success from years ago when she was the super lightweight and welterweight champion of the world.

Oh, I forgot, she was also inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.

During Holm’s first foray in boxing, the world was not ready for women’s boxing. Few female fights were televised and if a champion made more than $5,000 a fight that was big news.

“I did fight on television a small number of times, but not all the time,” Holm said.

Holm left the sport in May 2013 when MMA girls began making more money than boxers. She signed with UFC and eventually made her way to the top in November 2015 to face super star Ronda Rousey. Holm won by knockout via a kick to the head.

Here we are 10 years later.

Boxing is different from MMA where there are so many more defensive obstacles and the distance in fighting is very different. Even your feet are placed differently and defensive stances can seem odd. Boxing is precise.

Back in her boxing prime Holm was more of a dancer and runner who jabbed and moved and did not need to fully engage. MMA changed all that. Can she find her boxing groove at age 43.

“I feel like my boxing is going to be slightly different than when I last boxed before,” said Holm adding that MMA may have changed her boxing style slightly.

Vega, 30, is 13 years younger than Holm but has never fought outside of her native Mexico. She will be fighting in front of more than 12,000 rabid fans which can either prove an elixir or hindrance to the lightweight fighter from Obregon, Mexico.

Though Vega has 10 years of pro experience she has never fought anyone with comparable fighting knowledge as Holm. But Mexican fighters have a knack for surprising those who underestimate them.

“I don’t ever look past the fighter I’m facing now,” said Holm about Vega. “She is undefeated and she is tough.”

 

Right Hook Roxy

Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco (5-0) is steadily adjusting to the pro style of boxing after years of amateur boxing. It’s not an easy feat.

Many amateur fighters adapt bad habits of slapping or hitting with the inside of the fist instead of using the knuckles when throwing hooks. Those bad habits can leave them very vulnerable to power punchers who walk through the blows and deliver devastating counters.

Verduzco has always had speed and agility and that was on display in her match with pro veteran Celene Roman. After adjusting to the speed of Verduzco’s punches, Roman began countering with solid shots. It could have been disastrous for the younger fighter if not for her defensive prowess.

After eight rounds of competitive exchanges Verduzco was deemed the winner by unanimous decision. It was her first eight-round engagement.

 

Japan All Female card

Yuko Kuroki (24-8-2) fights Nanako Suzuki (9-3) for the WBA minimumweight world title. The all-female boxing card takes place on Thursday June 26 at Korokuen Hall in Tokyo. This is Kuroki’s first defense of the WBA atomweight title. She is formerly the WBO atomweight titlist and the WBC minimumweight champion.

This is Kuroki’s third time fighting Suzuki. She previously won their prior encounters.

Eight other female bouts are scheduled.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

On Friday June 27, feathers Lucrecia Manzur (12-4) and Lucrecia Belen (7-7) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at San Miguel de Tucuman.

 

Australia

On Saturday June 28, light flys Chloe Grech (3-0-1) and Mishelle Macatangay (1-1) meet eight rounds at Condell Park. Also, super bantams Shanell Dargan (6-2-2) and Jittamat Phomta (9-10) meet eight. Super flies Mai Soliman (7-1) and Nattarat Prempida (11-6-1) meet eight; and flies Jemma Peart (5-1) and Kanokwan Wirunpat (4-1) meet eight.

On Saturday June 28, bantams Erini Ramirez (4-3-1) and Jittima Promsaen (2-0) meet four rounds at Flemington.

 

Austria

Johana Rochi (5-5-1) defeated Szilvia Szabados (18-20) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 21. The welterweight fight was held in Vienna.

 

Canada

On Friday June 27, super lights Leila Beaudoin (12-1) and Elhem Mekhaled (17-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Quebec City.

 

China

Lili Xie (5-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Binsi Teng (0-1) on Friday June 20. The super lightweight match was held in Yantai.

 

Colombia

Claire Hafner (5-3) knocked out Karen Fernandez (1-4) in two rounds on Saturday June 21. The middleweight fight took place in Santa Marta.

Yolis Marrugo (33-14-4) knocked out Maria Miranda (17-22) in the second round on Friday June 20. The featherweight fight was held in La Boquilla.

Destiny Day Owens (14-0) knocked out Erika Escobar (4-3) in the fourth round on Tuesday June 17. The welterweight fight took place in Santa Marta. Also, light fly Angela Austria (2-0) knocked out Fariana Martinez (0-1-1) in one; and super welter Any Paez (1-0) knocked out Wendy Valle (0-1) in in one.

 

Czech Republic

Natalie Polednikova (3-0) beat Katerina Dvorakova (3-8) in four rounds on Friday June 20. The lightweight fight took place in Ostrava.

 

Democratic Republic of Congo

On Saturday June 28, feathers Keren Phoba (1-1) and Niati Misama (1-1) meet four rounds at Kinsasha.

 

Dominican Republic

On Saturday June 28, super bantams Vivian Bianelis (7-1) and Martha Hernandez (5-2) meet eight rounds at Santa Domingo.

 

France

On Wednesday June 25, bantams Jeyssa Marcel (14-0) and Estefania Matute (11-27) meet six rounds at Garges les Gonesse. Also, light flys Tania D’Almeida (0-0) and Gordana Marjanovic (0-14) meet four.

 

Italy

Stephanie Silva (10-1) won by majority decision after 10 rounds versus Mary Romero (11-8) on Saturday June 21. The super fly regional title fight was held in Rome.

Sharon Prisco (2-0) beat Sherie Barnes (0-11) after eight rounds on Thursday June 19. The super featherweight fight took place in Pescara.

 

Japan

Yukari Takayama (1-0) beat Hazuki Endo (0-1) after four rounds on Sunday June 22. The super fly fight was held in Sapporo. Also, minimumweight Sakura Kannari (2-4) beat Reiko Mori (1-4-1) in four.

On Wednesday June 25, super lights Arisa Tsubata (1-0) and Suphannika Tanchoem (4-0-1) meet four rounds at Tokyo.

On Thursday June 26, minimumweights Yuko Kuroki (24-8-2) and Nanako Suzuki (9-3) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title at Tokyo. Also, Madoka Wada (3-0) and Carleans Rivas (9-7-4) meet eight; plus feathers Anera Osawa (2-0-1) and Pei Yi Wu (4-0) meet eight; atoms Honoka Kano (9-1-2) and Ena Sakai (3-2) meet eight; Wakashi Yoshida (1-1) and Komi Sato (2-0) meet four; and bantams Makoto Kikuchi (5-2) and Yuki Fuke (4-1) meet six; and bantams Nano Hata (0-0) and Ying Wang (1-1) meet four.

 

New Zealand

On Saturday June 28, super lights Kirstin Repia (0-0) and Tania Bennett (0-4) meet four rounds at Tauranga.

On Sunday June 29, super lights Sheila Yama (3-0) and Louise Creaven (3-0) meet six rounds at Manukau City. Also, light flies Emma Nesbitt (7-1) and Bec Moss (2-3) meet six; and bantams Nyrene Crowley (0-0) and Sarah Linton (1-5) meet four.

 

Panama

Paula Quintero (1-0-1) and Eliana Medina (1-3-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Saturday June 21. The super lightweight fight took place in Panama City.

 

Serbia

On Saturday June 28, super lights Nadja Milijancevic (3-0) and Nana Dokadze (4-24) meet four rounds at Belgrade.

 

South Africa

Tarisai Mutsau (1-0) knocked out Milicent Nemutandani (0-1) in the third round on Monday June 16. The featherweight fight took place in Johannesburg; also minimumweight Hanna Van Wirth (1-1) knocked out Emma Mohono (0-2).

 

Spain

Tiana Schroeder (4-0) won by decision over Florencia Villarreal (1-7-3) after four rounds on Saturday June 21. The flyweight fight took place in Elche.

On Saturday June 28, flies Tatiana Perez (4-0-1) and Jasmina Nad (11-35-5) meet six rounds at Colmenar Viejo.

 

Thailand

Natthanan Sangiamchit (7-3-1) and Kanyurat Nunoi (9-8-3) fought to a majority draw after six rounds on Sunday June 22. The flyweight fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, Usanakorn Thawilssuhannawang (21-9) knocked out Patraporn Kaenmeepol (0-2) in one. Light fly Apek Buddee (1-0) beat Satirat Kurdthone (0-1) in four.

Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu (2-1) knocked out Manatsanan Srithongkham (0-2) in two on Sunday June 22. The minimumweight fight was held in Thanyaburi.

 

Turkey

On Thursday June 26, feathers Seren Cetin (12-1) and Griselda Torollari (6-4) meet eight rounds at Istanbul.

 

United Kingdom

Tiah Mai Ayton (1-0) knocked out Sara Orszagi (2-8) in the third round on Saturday June 21. The super bantam fight was held in Birmingham.

Cassidy Todd (5-0) defeated Ashleigh Johnson (3-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday June 20. The super bantam title fight took place in Kilbride, Scotland.

On Saturday June 28, super flies Aikaterina Koutsogeorgopoulou (3-0) and Francesca Sirignano (3-0) meet eight rounds at London. Also, welters Dee Allen (6-0) and Ester Konecna (7-32-2) meet six rounds.

On Saturday June 28, lightweights Gemma Paige (1-0) and Tereza Dvorakova (4-11) meet six rounds at Yorkshire. Also, feathers Chelsey Arnell (4-2-1) and Bec Connolly (3-22) meet six.

 

USA

Roxy Verduzco (5-0) defeated Celene Roman (6-4-1) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 21. The featherweight match took place in Santa Ynez. Also, featherweights Jenelyn Olsim (0-0-1) and Jessica Radtke (1-2-2) fought to a draw after four.

Lisandra Contreras (1-0) beat Montana Weems (1-1) after four rounds on Saturday June 21. The super bantam fight was held in Newark, New Jersey.

Elena Mandujano (1-0) defeated Amanda DeRosa (0-2) in four rounds on Thursday June 19. The bantam fight took place in Costa Mesa, Calif.

On Friday June 27, lightweights Kayla Williams (1-1) and Helen Lucero (0-4) meet four rounds at Wichita, Kansas.

On Friday June 27, bantams Brittany Sims (8-3) and Marcela Nieto (6-4-1) meet eight rounds at Philadelphia, Pa. Also, feathers Shannel Butler (2-0) and Cara Mclaughlin (2-12) meet six.

On Saturday June 28, lightweights Holly Holm (33-2-3) and Yolanda Vega (10-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Anaheim, Calif. Also, light flies Naomy Valle (14-0) and Ashley Felix (7-3) meet six.

On Saturday June 28, super welters Suzie Montero (0-0) and Nadia Moreno (0-0) meet four rounds at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

On Saturday June 28, heavyweights Brittany Parker (0-0) and Anari Mathews (0-3) meet four rounds at Lincoln, Nebraska.

 

Zambia

On Saturday June 28, bantams Alice Mbewe (6-2-1) and Sakina Ibrahim (2-0-1) meet eight rounds at Lusaka. Also, light flies Charity Phiri (0-0) and Fatima M’beka (1-7) meet four; super bantams Mary Mhango (1-0) and Chimwemwe Banda (3-8) meet four; and bantams Gracious Malembeka (0-0) and Mphatso Metaudzu (1-5) meet four.

 

(Photo by Esther Lin)