EL PASO, Texas (KFOX 14, CBS 4) — Saturday’s MVPW-03 is completely sold out. The event brings a historic card to the El Paso County Coliseum, headlined by El Paso native and WBA Lightweight World Champion Stephanie Han’s rematch against former boxing and UFC champion Holly Holm.
Han has had the hometown crowd behind her all week and is now ready to return the favor.
“I feel proud that they are embracing me as their champion,” she said after weighing in at 134.6 pounds. “Now I can’t lose. The motivation and energy is there. I am so excited for tomorrow.”
Han was the underdog entering her first clash with Holm. Han won by unanimous decision after a doctor’s stoppage. This time around, she is a -450 favorite, according to Fan Duel, and is determined to show everyone that she is the best in the world.
“I 100% believe that she underestimated me in the first fight,” Han said. “This fight I know she is taking this personal and is ready. But, I am also ready. I train to win. I don’t train to lose and I am still going to be champion at the end of the day.”
The Han’s are undoubtedly a fighting family. They own martial arts gyms across El Paso. Stephanie’s sister Jennifer is a former world champion boxer. Her brother Abraham is a former professional boxer. A victory in the city that means so much to them would be everything to the Han family.
“Winning here in El Paso, that would be the best feeling ever,” Jennifer said. “That would be the height of our boxing career as a family.”
Saturday’s main card is absolutely stacked with four championship fights.
“When I was fighting, things like this didn’t happen here,” Jennifer said. “It could have been in Vegas, Orlando or anywhere else. But, they brought it here. We are so grateful. El Paso is going to be showing up, so it will be great for everyone.”
Lourdes Juarez and Yokasta Valle will kick off the main card, fighting for the WBC Jr. Flyweight World Championship. Then, Desley Robinson faces Mary Spencer for the Unified Middleweight Title. In the double main event, seven-weight division world champion Amanda Serrano looks to defend her Unified Featherweight Title against Cheyenne Hanson. Han vs Holm 2 will close down the evening.
The main card kicks off at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
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