
Han vs. Holm 2 Preview: Stacked El Paso Card Approaches
By Erick Reyes, Spring Intern for 600 ESPN El Paso
May 30th is a huge day for El Paso, especially for current WBA Lightweight Champion Stephanie Han. The champ is not only defending her title in her hometown, but she's also fighting the legendary Holly Holm in a rematch from their January fight. The two will be headlining a huge MVP card featuring an all-women’s card at the El Paso County Coliseum. In this article, I will break down the fights throughout the night.
Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm
The main event of the night will be a rematch for the WBA lightweight championship between current champion Han and “The Preachers Daughter” Holm. Back on Jan. 3 in Puerto Rico, Han retained her WBA belt after a seventh round head clash stopped their first fight, a fight lots of people think Han was winning. Fast forward almost five months later, they are back for another fight, this time in Han’s hometown of El Paso.
Coming off her biggest win to date, Han is a pressure fighter who loves to stay on the front foot. On the other hand, Holm is a very conservative fighter, using her jabs as a go-to and is calculated with her timing. Both had good success in the first fight, but if Han wants to keep her title, she needs to keep the pressure up and make Holm uncomfortable. For Holly, she will need to establish the jab and take control of the center of the ring, and box smartly.
Prediction: I believe Han’s aggressiveness will play a huge role in this fight. She was countering Holm with overhand rights throughout the first fight and those punches will be the ultimate factor in the end. Han by close, unanimous decision.
Amanda Serrano vs Cheyenne Hanson
In the co-main event, undisputed featherweight champion “The Real Deal” Amanda Serrano will be taking on Germany’s Cheyenne Hanson for Serrano’s WBO and WBA Featherweight titles. Serrano, one of the greatest women’s fighters of all time, is a very aggressive fighter by nature, and also has excellent boxing skills, packing a big punch. She comes into this fight with a whopping 64% knockout percentage, has 53 fights under her belt and tons of experience.
Cheyenne Hanson will be making her United States debut in this fight. Not only is she bringing a nine-fight win streak to El Paso, but seven of those nine fights ended in knockouts. A very technical boxer, Hanson comes forward, throws punches in bunches and has dynamite in her fists.
If Hanson wants to shock the world and pull off the upset, she will need to make it a rough fight, smother Serrano and not let her find her rhythm. For Serrano, she will need to use her experience, her IQ and attack the body to slow Hanson down.
Prediction: Hanson is going to come to fight, and she will not go down easily. I see her winning some rounds early, but in the end, Serrano’s experience and ring IQ will be to much for Hanson. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a couple of knockdowns in this fight, especially in the later rounds. Serrano by unanimous decision.
Lourdes Juarez vs Yokasta Valle
Keeping with the theme of title fights, current WBC flyweight champion Lourdes Juarez will be facing Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle. Winner of five straight, including two successful title defenses, Juarez comes to El Paso at an all-time high. She is the very definition of a Mexican style fighter with a heart of a lion that can brawl with just about anyone and can box when she needs to.
This will be Valle’s first fight at 108 pounds, coming up from 105. Valle, much like Juarez, is a brawler who loves to come forward, and throw big shots. This has the potential to be fight of the night.
If Juarez wants to keep her titles, she will need to revert from her brawling style and box Valle, use the whole ring, and keep switching stances to confuse her. For Valle, she will need to make it a little bit of a dirty fight. Valle loves to throw her overhand right and clinch right after, something she should do to throw Juarez’s timing off.
Prediction: As I said earlier, this has all the makings to be fight of the night. Both women have tons of experience, throw bombs with each shot, and are each aggressive. Since this will be Valle’s first fight at the new weight while challenging for a title fight immediately, the nerves could play a factor. Overall, I think Juarez’s experience and natural weight advantage will be the key in this fight. Expect lots of punches being thrown and, possibly, lots of blood. Juarez by split decision.
Desley Robinson vs Mary Spencer
In the first of four title fights tonight, Australian Desley Robinson will defend her IBF and WBO Middleweight belts versus Canada’s Mary Spencer. She is coming to El Paso with an impressive six fight win streak, including two defenses of her current belts.
Only her second fight in the United States, Robinson is a technical fighter with good skills. Spencer, coming off a loss to current WBC and WBO 154-pound Champion Mikaela Mayer, will be moving up to 160 pounds for the first time, as well as making her United States debut.
Much like Robinson, Spencer is very technically sound but throws with intent on every shot. Reminds me a little bit of Caleb Plant. For Robinson to keep her titles, she must stick to the game-plan of sticking and moving. She will have the natural weight advantage, make Spencer come to you and see how her legs adjust to the new weight. For Spencer, the goal is to be aggressive, make it a rough fight, try to get Robinson frustrated and throw her off her gameplan.
Prediction: Mary Spencer coming off a loss and moving up in weight, which will play a huge factor in this fight. Her challenging for a world title in her first fight is a risky move. Robinson, coming off a knockout victory her last time out, is riding high and has all the confidence in the world. Having the natural weight advantage as well, Robinson won’t have to worry about her belts going anywhere else. Robinson by unanimous decision.
Fighters to watch
Below are some fighters I believe fans should watch out for in the future.
Jocelyn Camarillo (6-0 1KO): 21-Year-old California Prospect
Alexander Gueche (11-0 7KO): 20-Year-old California Prospect
Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (7-0 6KO): Upcoming Puerto Rican Prospect
Yesica Nery Plata (30-3 3KO): Former WBC 105-pound title holder


![Ronda Rousey Contemplated Suicide after Loss to Holly Holm [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/88/files/2016/02/Ronda-Rousey-Crying.jpg?w=300&q=75)




