Holly Holm Vs. Stephanie Han Breakdown

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Dec 29, 2025 3:24 AM ET

Holly Holm will face the undefeated champion Stephanie Han for the WBA Lightweight Title on January 3, as we preview this upcoming fight.

The bout serves as the co-main event for the Amanda Serrano vs. Reina Tellez card. Holm, a member of both the Boxing and MMA Halls of Fame, is looking to capture a world title in a fourth weight division. After her UFC career, Holm made a successful return to the ring in June 2025, defeating Yolanda Vega via a 100-90 shutout.

This will be her first championship boxing match since 2013, when she defeated Mary McGee before transitioning to MMA. As for Han, she had a breakout 2025. She captured the vacant WBA title in February with a first-round knockout of Hannah Terlep. In her first defense in August, she survived a first-round knockdown against Paulina Angel to rally for a unanimous decision victory. The fight will take place under men’s three-minute rounds, with ten rounds scheduled.

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Pre-Fight

“That’s exactly what I came back to boxing for. I wanted to come back and get a title in a fourth weight division and also fight one of the biggest fights out there. I’ve been saying I have goals and dreams, and my goal is to win this fight, and I don’t look past it at all. I want to hit her harder than she’s ever been hit. I wanna be more slick than she’s had to face before. I want to do it all. I have to be on my game to beat her. She’s a disciplined fighter. She’s a conditioned fighter, and she’s pretty polished. She’s got a good foundation of boxing,” Holm said

“From El Paso to the world stage, now I get to fight Holly Holm, in Puerto Rico next to the island’s greatest boxer in Amanda Serrano. Every sacrifice has led to this moment, and I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity. Equal opportunity at that, with 3-minute rounds,” Han stated

The Approach

In her win over Yolanda Vega in June 2025, Holm demonstrated her fundamentals—lateral movement, a quick jab, and the ability to pivot off the ropes. Tactically, Holm will aim to keep Han at the end of her reach, using a straight left hand to discourage Han from closing the distance. By circling away from Han’s power right hand and maintaining a high volume of jabs, Holm may aim to win the rounds on points, forcing the champion to grow frustrated and take risks that lead to counter-punching opportunities.

Han’s breakout 2025 showcased her two primary weapons: a clinical straight right, which she used to stop Hannah Terlep in one round, and her durability. After surviving a first-round knockdown against Paulina Angel in August, Han proved she could adjust mid-fight to walk through fire and out-work her opponents. Against a mobile southpaw like Holm, Han’s strategy will likely involve cutting off the ring and attacking the body early to take away Holm’s legs. By pinning Holm against the ropes, Han can nullify Holm’s reach advantage and look for the heavy right hook that has defined her title reign.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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