EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Stephanie Han has built a life that sounds like it belongs in a movie: She\u2019s a world champion boxer, a model, a mother, and a police officer \u2014 and she\u2019s doing it all while putting El Paso in the fight world spotlight.<\/p>\n
In the middle of Women\u2019s History Month, Han \u2014 known as \u201cThe Enforcer\u201d \u2014 is balancing her days between the gym, the job, and home life. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do what I have to do \u2014 work, train, be a mom \u2014 and repeat, over and over again,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
Han is the current WBA lightweight world champion and a police officer with the El Paso Police Department. While she always saw herself as an athlete, she said law enforcement wasn\u2019t part of the original plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t have dreams of being a police officer,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
Her path into combat sports started early, shaped by her family and upbringing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI always knew growing up I was going to be an athlete. My dad, he\u2019s from South Korea, he taught martial arts. We were raised in a gym. It was ingrained in us to be champions. It wasn\u2019t fun at the time , we trained every day. But now I appreciate it, because I can say I\u2019m a world champion,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
Han said the work behind the titles is often overlooked.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone thinks it\u2019s easy like you can be a champion overnight. No. I started martial arts at three, boxing at ten. I\u2019ve been competing my whole life. It takes hard work, sacrifice \u2014 it\u2019s intense. People want what you have, but not what it takes to get there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
And she believes El Paso\u2019s fight scene is rising right along with her.<\/p>\n
ARC PKG Stephanie Han Women History Month<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI think El Paso has grown not just in boxing, but MMA. I feel like we\u2019re the next fighting city. There\u2019s so much talent,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
With major attention turning toward the city, Han said the moment feels bigger than just one fighter. <\/p>\n
\u201cESPN\u2019s coming \u2014 so the whole world gets to see El Paso. That means everything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Next up is a highly anticipated rematch against UFC legend Holly Holm, set for May 30 in El Paso. The location has not been announced yet.<\/p>\n
Their first fight ended in a stoppage after an accidental headbutt, but Han said she\u2019s approaching the rematch with a different mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel more confident now. At first, I was a little afraid of Holly, she\u2019s a legend. But once I was in the ring with her, I realized she\u2019s just another fighter. Now I know what I\u2019m capable of,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
The card is expected to highlight top female talent as women\u2019s boxing continues to grow. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great night of action in El Paso,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
Han is also signed to MVP, the promotion company founded by Jake Paul, which has become a major platform for women\u2019s boxing.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, every female boxer wants to be on this platform. Women\u2019s boxing is growing fast, and it\u2019s only going to get bigger,\u201d Han said.<\/p>\n
With the May 30 fight bringing a major spotlight to El Paso, fans who want to be part of women\u2019s history, boxing history and El Paso history may want to grab tickets early.<\/p>\n
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