Courtesy New Mexico Boxing
The odds were against her, but Holly Holm used a technical game to regain her IBA/WBAN bantamweight title from Anne-Sophie Mathis in Albuquerque, NM Friday night after losing the title this past December.
Mathis used power punches while Holm used finesse striking to out land Mathis though several rounds. Unlike their first meeting, Holm was able to stay on her feet, barring a slip in round 7, but was able to take the bout to the cards.
Many at ringside saw it close, with a possible draw scenario. However, the judges gave the unanimous decision to Holm is a wide contrast of scores: 96-94, 99-91, and 97-93.
“This fight I had to overcome fear. Overcome doubt. Overcome a lot of things,” Holm stated post fight. “Every fight is a different journey. I think this is one of my most important fights as far as really digging deep and coming back from a loss.”
When asked about a rubber match, Mathis stated she wouldn’t want to fight Holm in New Mexico again; rather fight her in her home country of France. Holm’s manager states this wasn’t a possibility.
“They wouldn’t have enough money (to have Holm fight in France). They can try. We have tried this before and it’s not a possibility.”
Holm stated she wasn’t sure what she would be doing next in terms of her fight career; saying that she wanted to focus on this fight first before making any decisions.
everything was in holms favour. fact the ring was 20 by 20 this time round.