The championship bout between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm is official for the undercard of Amanda Serrano vs Erika Cruz 2. The event takes place at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3. The contest serves as the co-feature, with Han’s WBA lightweight title on the line.
Undefeated Han (11-0, 3 KOs) of El Paso, Texas, makes the second defense of her belt. In her previous outing in August, the 35-year-old defeated Paulina Angel by unanimous decision, overcoming a knockdown in the first round along the way. In her first fight of the year, Han knocked out Hannah Terlep in the first round in February to claim the vacant strap.
“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,” Stephanie Han said. “Every sacrifice has led to this moment, and I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity. Equal opportunity at that, with 3-minute rounds.”
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holm (34-2-3, 9 KOs) returned to the ring in June, defeating Yolanda Vega Ochoa by unanimous decision in what was her first boxing match in 12 years. Challenging Han, the 44-year-old Albuquerque native looks to win a title in a new weight class, having previously collected belts at 140, 147, and 154 lbs.
“I feel great,” Holly Holm said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight for a fourth weight division title and add to my legacy on Saturday, January 3. I’m thankful for MVP and this opportunity and look forward to fighting in Puerto Rico, an island with a deep boxing culture.”
The main event is a rematch between Amanda Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) and Erika Cruz (18-2-1, 4 KOs). Puerto Rico’s Serrano puts her unified WBA and WBO featherweight titles on the line, while Mexico’s Cruz looks to avenge her defeat nearly three years ago and once again become a champion.
Serrano vs Cruz 2 undercard also includes:
- Yankiel Rivera Figueroa (7-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. Jonathan Gonzalez (28-4-1, 14 KOs), flyweight
- Jan Paul Rivera-Pizarro (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. Alfredo Cruz (10-3-1, 5 KOs), featherweight
- Henry Lebron (20-0, 10 KOs) vs. Juan Tapia (14-4, 5 KOs), super featherweight
- Chris Echevarria (9-1, 4 KOs) vs. Gabriel Bernardi Cruz (7-3, 5 KOs), super bantamweight
- Krystal Rosado (7-1, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, bantamweight