"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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