Professional Boxing Career
She has held several welterweight titles and was by some regarded as one of the best female welterweight in the world and among the best of all time. She also has been named Ring Magazine female Fighter of the Year, twice in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. She is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque having all but 3 of her fights there and one of her fights outside her home state of New Mexico.
In June 2008 she became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision. They fought a rematch on October 17, 2008, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, which ended in a draw.
On December 2, 2011, Holly took on knockout artist Anne Sophie Mathis of France for the vacant IBF female and WBAN welterweight titles. Holly was eventually badly beaten up by the stronger Mathis without the referee interfering, even going into the canvas without a count, and finally lost by knockout in the 7th round, which would be dubbed as the upset of the year in women's boxing. The two rematched on June 15, 2012 for Mathis's WBF female, IBF female, and WBAN welterweight titles. Holly took a unanimous decision win over Mathis, becoming the new champion and avenging her brutal KO loss.
Read more about this topic: Holly Holm
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