Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where will Stephanie Han and Holly Holm break each other down in their rematch?
Foster vs. Ford on DAZN subscription - TONIGHT
Stephanie Han and Holly Holm have an unsavory taste of unfinished business that they’d like to clear.
They intend to do just that tonight when Han puts her WBA lightweight world title up against the combat sports legend in their anticipated rematch at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas.
When the fighters originally clashed in January, Han pushed the pace off the front foot, often beating Holm to the punch. Just when Holm was seemingly beginning to split Han’s guard with timing, an accidental headbutt opened a gash on the champ’s forehead, resulting in a doctor’s stoppage. The technical unanimous decision was awarded to Han as judges had it scored in her favor (69-65, 69-64, 68-65) until that point.
Neither competitor wanted the fight to end like that, triggering the need for this rematch. Will Han prove she has Holm’s number with another convincing showing? Or will Holm add to her legend by snatching new hardware?
Foster & Ford Prepare for War in Texas
Stephanie Han’s Keys to Victory
Show relentless pressure
Stephanie Han did an excellent job of pressuring off the front foot and dictating the pace of the fight by beating Holly Holm to the punch and standing her ground during exchanges in their first fight.
For the sequel, the WBA lightweight world champion must pick up where she left off by continuing to mash the gas pedal with pressure.
Time Holm for counters
As Holm tries to frustrate Han with movement, the champ can be aided by timing the legend with counterpunches.
The counter right was a stinging weapon for Han in the first fight as the champ timed the challenger’s pattern to have success with the shot.
Timed, sharp counters could go long ways to stalling Holm’s motor and that could be crucial if this bout is primed for the distance.
Punch in traffic
Han punched in traffic and stood her ground in the pocket effectively in her first meeting with Holm. And she will likely have to do much of the same during this rematch.
Han will be tasked to punch and move in traffic with Holm frequently. Her ability to win these moments could spell the difference between her exiting El Paso by hearing “and still” or “and new.”
Holly Holm’s Keys to Victory
Assert the jab
Holly Holm quickly establishing a jab would be a healthy sign needed in order for ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ to redeem herself.
If she’s able to flick out the jab and land it flush against Stephanie Han, her movement can then be more of a factor.
Stick and move
Once some semblance of the jab is offered, Holm should look to split Han’s guard with authority, consistency and while in motion. She was beginning to do this well before the first fight was halted due to that accidental headbutt.
Holm sticking and moving gives the legend her best shot at avenging the January loss to Han.
Win exchanges
Han won far too many exchanges in the pocket with Holm. Even if the younger fighter’s punching volume is cranked way too high, Holm must respond with the eye-catching shots that win her those exchanges.
Then her subsequent movement can have more meaning toward her becoming the new WBA lightweight world champion.
Who has the edge in Han vs. Holm 2?
DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
I really liked how Han handled herself against combat sports legend Holm in their first fight. Even with the adjustments Holm is likely to make, Han has the tools to continue beating the icon to the punch and doing it in traffic with volume. For those reasons, Han gets the slight edge from me to retain her title.
