"Jennifer Han Became El Paso first World Champion in 2015 when she successful defeated Helen Joseph of Ghana, Nigeria in a 10-round bout at the down Haskins Center September 19, 2015.  As a result of this amazing achievement Commissioner Andrew Haggerty petitioned a resolution to recognize Jennifer Han and her accomplishment.  She was awarded a proclamation October 5, 2015 recognizing that September 19 would be known as “Jennifer Han Day”."

Jennifer Han has revolved her entire life around combative sports. She's accomplished many milestones in martial arts throughout her life to include three black belts and many national and international championships.

Jennifer Han (Korean-American) was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and is the oldest of 5 siblings, she attended Irvin High School and holds a Degree in Kinesiology and miner in business from The University of Texas at El Paso. She is a lifelong martial artist studying under her father Master Bae Han where she's the chief Instructor at Han’s Oriental Martial Arts with her father and siblings.

On April 18, 2015,  Jennifer won the vacant IBF Intercontinental title against Fatuma Zarika. She was originally scheduled to fight Helen Joseph for the vacant IBF belt, but due to visa issue from her opponent the fight was canceled 5 days before the schedule bout. Jennifer fought Zarika with no knowledge of her skill or video of her prior fight and won by unanimous decision.

Her most significant accomplishment was on September 19, 2015 when she became the IBF Female Featherweight World Champion and El Paso's first and only world champion. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanction world championship boxing bouts. Jennifer beat Helen Joseph from Ghana Nigeria by unanimous decision with a scorecard 97-92, 98-92, and 98-92.

Please take a look at this short film made the day Jennifer Han become a world champion.
https://vimeo.com/244936110
Boxer Jennifer Han inducted into EP Sports Hall of Fame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-CQcY5ARac 

Even with all her many accomplishments in sports Jennifer has always stated that her education at UTEP was one of the biggest accomplishments of her life. Like many El Pasoan’s, Jennifer’s father immigrated to American with the hopes of a better life and instilled in his children the importance of a higher education. Jennifer proudly wears her fight nickname as “El Paso’s Sweetheart” as a badge of honor and hopes that she makes the El Paso and UTEP community proud as she continues her journey as a martial artist, motivational speaker, and professional boxer.

Jennifer works with multiply charities and gives speeches/motivational talks on a weekly basis to local and regional schools. She has given over 100 speeches since 2016 and also gives time to the Boys & Girls Club, PBS, University of Texas at El Paso – Young Alumni Association, USA Boxing Instructor courses, business leadership conferences, and an advocate for women’s rights and equal pay in sports.

In 2018 she was the key note speaker for UTEP athletics National Girls and Women in Sports Day and in June of the same year, Jennifer proudly represented the City of El Paso in the National Civic League – All American City competition in Denver, CO. El Paso was one of 10 communities to earn the title of All-America City whose theme was "City of Champions” led by IBF World Champion Jennifer Han.

June 24, 2018 Denver, CO – IBF Champion Jennifer Han giving key note speech for National Civic League – All American City competition.
Her first title defense was against Calista Silgado on April 29, 2016 where she defended her title and was the first boxing event ever held at Southwest University Park, home of the El Paso Chihuahuas El Paso, TX. Two weeks prior to the fight Jennifer was suffering from severe hip pain, she continued to train and prepare for her fight anyway. After being declared the winner by unanimous decision she took photos and signed autographs for another 2 hours for the fans who stayed to congratulate her. The following day she went to work and continued to teach her regular martial arts classes and was still complaining of the pain in her hip, she was diagnosed that evening with having a hip fracture. 1 week after this fight she was inducted into the El Paso Sports Hall of Fame and also found out her Title Fight against Helen Joseph as the 2015 fight of the year.

April 29, 2016 Southwest University Ballpark in El Paso, Texas.

She again defended her title October 15, 2016 against Liliana Martinez at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX and unanimously defeated Martinez in what looked like a 10 round clinic held by Jennifer Han.

On February 17, 2017 Jennifer defended her title for a third time against former champion Olivia Gerula. This bout was the main event on a Top Rank Boxing show in which Jennifer again dominated the challenger winning every round in this 10 round title fight. Winning by unanimous decision with a score card of 100-89, 100-89, 100-89.

On February 17, 2018, Jennifer defended her title in a Premier Boxing Champions event alongside three former world champions: her team mate Austin Trout, Victor Ortiz, and Devon Alexander. Jennifer was the only current world champion on the card and fought a 10 round Championship fight against number 1 ranked boxer Liz Crespo from Argentina. The Bout was held at the Don Haskins Center in front of nearly 7,000 fans in which Han defeated Crespo by unanimous decision victory of 98-92, 96-94, 96-94.

Press Conference – Premier Boxing Champions – January 10, 2018
Jennifer said, "I, along with a lot of my peers, became extremely frustrated with boxing, since I was only fighting once a year even though I was a world champion. I thought it was time to hang up the gloves and became a first time mother in 2019. I considered sparring after I gained 75 lbs during my pregnancy, lost the weight and came back to fight Jeri Sitzes February 15, 2020. Felt amazing, got offered to fight on the Katie Taylor card in England later that year."

Unfortunately, Covid happened and foreigners (me being from the United States) weren't allowed to travel overseas. Baby number 2 happened February 2021. Got offered to fight Katie Taylor (the biggest name in Women's Professional Boxing). Had to lose another 75 lbs in 6 months (which is awful) and lost by decision. My last fight and loss was against Mikaela Mayer in California. Haven't been asked to fight again so am enjoying helping my sister Stephanie as she climbs up the ranks (Ranked #7 in the WBA).

Jennifer Han Accomplishments:

IBF Featherweight World Champion (2015-2021)
IBF fight of the year 2015 - Jennifer Han vs. Helen Joseph
IBF Intercontinental Champion – April 18, 2015
Boxing record: 18 wins 5 losses 1 draw
Inducted into the El Paso Sports Hall of Fame 2016
World Combat League as a member of the St. Louis Enforcers with a professional kickboxing record of 3-1.
(Amateur Accomplishments):
World Martial Art Champion - Hoi Jeon Moo Sool
6 time National Amateur Boxing Champion: USA Nationals twice (2001, 2004) and the Golden Gloves three times (2002, 2004, 2006) Black Gloves Nationals
3rd degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt
5th degree Blackbelt Hap Ki Do
5th degree Blackbelt Hoi Jeon Moo Sool (Kickboxing)
National Tae Kwon Do Champion
WAKO and IKF Kickboxing Champion

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