The true Queen of Boxing is 12-time, three division world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs), who this past June 15th avenged her loss last December 2nd to French knockout artist Ann Sophie Mathis (26-2, 22 KOs) at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Fan-favorite Holm captured the IBA, WBF and WBAN title belts, as well as the mythical women’s pound-for-pound crown, with her 10-round decision over Mathis, whose 26-fight win streak, dating back to 1995, was snapped.
“Holly overshadows the September 25 fight between (Cecilia) Braekhus and Mathis (in Denmark) because she’s the best woman fighter in the world,” Holm’s promoter Lenny Fresquez said.
“She proved it by beating Mathis. They’re fighting for all but one belt that Holly relinquished. You have to beat the best in order to be the best and Holly has done that many, many times. Holly defeated Mathis to regain her pound-for-pound supremacy in women’s boxing. The winner of Braekhus-Mathis may be the Princess, or Duchess of Boxing, but Holly Holm is the true Queen of Boxing. Braekhus and Mathis are fighting to determine the second-best woman boxer in the world today.
“Holly is one of the few female boxers ever to regularly sell-out fights, 3,000 fans every show she headlines, something few men boxers do today. Despite being the second-best woman boxer in the world, Mathis was virtually unknown in women’s boxing, outside of France, when she first fought Holly. She gained more media exposure fighting Holly than she had during her entire boxing career. Mathis was the best pound-for-pound women’s boxer in the world for 7-½ months, until Holly beat her in their rematch, earning Holly the coveted No. 1 pound-for-pound title again. We will announce Holly’s next fight on September 25, proving once again that she ducks no legitimate world title challenger.”
During the course of her incredible 10-½ year professional career, Holm is 14-1-1 against other world champions, from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Chevelle Hallback (twice), Duda Yankovich, Terry Blair (twice), Anne Succurato (twice), Belinda Laracuente and Jaime Clampitt.
