(MAY 10) When World Boxing
Federation Women’s World Light Welterweight Champion Holly Holm,
32-2-3 (9), makes her first defense of this particular
championship on May 11 at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, it will also be her last.
She is favored to defeat opponent
Mary McGee, 20-1 (11), on Fresquez Productions “Mayhem” show,
but “The Preachers Daughter” has decided that this will be her
last bout, win or lose, and that she will in the future
concentrate on her career in Mixed Martial Arts:
"When we were deciding which way to go with my future, my
trainer, Mike Winkeljohn, said it best, “You want to climb a new
mountain.” This thing has created a new spark in me and I'm
following my heart”, said Holm in a recent statement.
“I've never been a paper champion. I've grown so much every step
of the way. I'm in this fight, on May 11,100 percent; I'm not
distracted. This is obviously an emotional, spiritual and
physical journey and I'm so grateful for the people who have
supported me. I just want to fight where my passion is (MMA).”
Holm, who is also the reigning WBF World Welterweight Champion,
is by many considered the best Pound-For-Pound female boxer in
the world. At only 31 years of age she has had an amazing career
in professional boxing, and captured no less than THIRTEEN world
titles in three weight classes.
After re-capturing the WBF title at Welterweight in a rematch
with Anne Sophie Mathias last June, Holm moved down in weight to
lift the Light Welterweight crown with a shutout decision over
Diana Prazak in December. While she didn’t lose a round in that
bout, Holm will not be facing a push-over in her first defense,
and final boxing match!
“Merciless” Mary McGee (26) turned professional in 2005 and has
won various minor titles on her way to what will by far be her
biggest fight on May 11.
This past December, on the undercard of Holm vs. Prazak, she
stopped perennial contender Victoria Cisneros in four rounds.
Cisneros has twice gone the distance with Holm and lost a world
title-challenge to Cecilia Braekhus on points, so the fact that
McGee handled her with such ease underlines the fact that she
will be a major threat to spoil Holms retirement party.
"Mary McGee is a bright, talented boxer who earned this world
title shot”, promoter Lenny Fresquez said when announcing the
match-up.
“She impressed us all last December in her fight on the Holm-Prazak
card at Route 66 Casino Hotel. Unlike others that call-out
Holly, only to break negotiations because they were never
serious, Mary is stepping up to the plate like a real fighter."
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