Holly Holm’s ambitious quest to reclaim boxing glory came to an abrupt and unexpected halt Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as Stephanie Han retained her WBA lightweight title via a unanimous technical decision. The match at Coliseo Roberto Clemente was shaping up to be a showcase of experience versus youth, but a clash of heads midway through the seventh round put a premature end to the proceedings, dashing Holm’s hopes and marking her first defeat in the ring since 2011.
The 44-year-old Holm, already a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and a 14-time world champion across three divisions, entered the bout with history on her mind. She aimed to become the first boxer to win a world title after Hall of Fame induction, a feat that would have further cemented her legacy in the sport. But Han, a 35-year-old police officer and mother of two from El Paso, Texas, had other plans.
From the opening bell, the contest was competitive but quickly tilted in Han’s favor. After a cautious feeling-out period in the first round, Han began to assert herself with sharp straight rights in the second, capitalizing on Holm’s increasingly predictable entries. By the third round, Han’s superior hand speed and punch volume were clear for all to see. She consistently outworked Holm, mixing up her attacks to the body and head and keeping the Albuquerque native on the back foot.
Han’s tactical approach paid dividends as the rounds progressed. She landed a total of 87 punches out of 341 thrown, boasting a 26% connect rate. Holm, by contrast, managed just 29 of 243 attempts, a paltry 12% according to official punch statistics. The judges’ scorecards reflected Han’s dominance: 69-65, 69-64, and 68-65, all in her favor at the time of the stoppage. One judge gave Holm just a single round, underscoring the uphill battle she faced as the fight wore on.
The bout was scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds—a departure from the customary two-minute rounds in women’s boxing, and a reflection of the recent trend among fighters promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which staged the event. The extra minute per round was meant to provide more opportunity for action and drama, but on this night, it proved inconsequential to the outcome.
As both fighters settled into a rhythm in the seventh, an accidental clash of heads opened a wide cut on Han’s hairline. Blood began to pour, and referee Luis Pabon, following advice from the ringside physician, stopped the fight at the 1:44 mark. Because the bout had passed its halfway point, the result was determined by the scorecards up to that moment. Han, well ahead on all three, was declared the winner by technical decision, improving her unblemished record to 12-0 (3 KOs).
“Obviously, I wanted to go the distance, but things like this happen in boxing,” Han said in the ring, her relief and pride evident. “I’m so happy, you have no idea. It’s not the way I wanted it, but a win is a win—and I want to thank you, Holly. Holly, you’re an absolute legend. If you want a rematch, let’s do it in El Paso, let’s do it in Albuquerque. I would love the opportunity to fight you again the whole distance of the rounds.”
Holm, visibly disappointed, echoed the sentiment. “Not being able to finish it is the hardest part, but she had a lot of volume and I was kind of waiting for those later rounds to take over,” she admitted after her first boxing loss in more than 14 years. “And you can’t do that when things like this happen. I didn’t want it to end like that. Absolutely [we can rematch next], nobody wants the fight to end like that. I don’t.”
Holm’s journey back to the ring had been a story in itself. After vacating her boxing titles in 2013 to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, she made global headlines by dethroning Ronda Rousey with a head-kick knockout at UFC 193 in 2015, capturing the UFC women’s bantamweight title and cementing her reputation as a combat sports legend. She fought 16 times in the Octagon, challenging for UFC titles in two divisions before mutually parting ways with the promotion in January 2025. Her return to boxing was billed as “unfinished business,” and she made a triumphant comeback in June 2025 with a dominant decision win over Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa.
Han’s own rise has been meteoric. She claimed the WBA lightweight crown in February 2025 with a first-round knockout of Hannah Terlep, then defended the belt in August against Paulina Angel after surviving an early knockdown. Saturday’s victory marked her second successful title defense, and perhaps her most significant yet given the stature of her opponent.
Throughout the buildup, Holm was considered the betting favorite and had even discussed potential future matchups with the likes of Ireland’s Katie Taylor. But Han’s relentless pace and tactical discipline quickly dispelled any notions of an easy path for the veteran. Holm struggled to match Han’s output, unable or unwilling to let her hands go in the face of the champion’s steady offense.
“I sacrificed so much for this fight,” Han said, her voice cracking with emotion. “It’s not the way I wanted [to win], but a win is a win.” Her respect for Holm was evident before and after the fight, and she welcomed the idea of a rematch—ideally in front of her hometown fans or Holm’s.
As for Holm, time may not be on her side. At 44, she remains a marvel of longevity and skill, but Saturday’s setback raises questions about whether another run at a world title is realistic. Still, her willingness to step into the ring against a younger, undefeated champion speaks volumes about her competitive spirit and enduring appeal.
With both fighters expressing interest in a rematch, the boxing world may yet see these two warriors share the ring again—perhaps with a more decisive conclusion. For now, Stephanie Han stands tall as the reigning WBA lightweight champion, her toughest test passed, and Holly Holm’s “unfinished business” in boxing remains just that.