WIBA super featherweight champion Diana Prazak (11-1, 7 KOs) is being trained by former great Lucia Rijker and neither are concerned about Prazak moving-up in weight to challenge 12-time, three division world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs), headlining the Fresquez Productions-presented “Fire And Ice” show, in a 10-round main event for the International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) light welterweight titles at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.
Prazak, a native of Australia, is now fighting out of Los Angeles. She recently replaced Myriam Lamare (20-3, 10 KOs) as Holm’s new opponent on Dec. 7. In her last fight, Prazak defended her WIBA super featherweight title that she won in 2011 with a victory by unanimous decision over Fatuma Aarika (24-5-1).
“I’m a determined fighter,” said Prazak, who has relocated to Los Angeles. “I have fought at 130-135-pounds; however, I walk around at 145. I will feel much stronger at 140 because I don’t have to starve myself. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to work with some great champions, not to mention the rounds I get in with my trainer, Lucia Rijker. If I can get punched by the most dangerous women in the world, I most definitely do not have any concerns about being hit by girls in other weight classes. I’ve been training with RijkerStriker for almost eight months and I’ve learned a lot being in America and about what it takes to be a pro fighter.”
The 31-year-old, newly married Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) has defeated the world’s best boxers, from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Lamare, Ann Sophie Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).
“Holly is a great champion who always steps into the fight in top shape and with a great fight plan,” a respectful Prazak commented. “She is fast on her feet and can run like crazy; this and the high altitude in New Mexico burn out a lot of her opponents. I’ll be training in LA and New Mexico for this fight. After Holly came back from a brutal beating from Mathis, by fighting an intelligent and courageous fight, Holly has all my respect and she earned the right to be called, pound-for-pound, the best today.
“I think it’s great that she has such great hometown support. Three-thousand people (regularly attending her fights in Albuquerque) are great. My dream is for myself and for other women fighters to fight for crowds of 30,000. This is just the beginning. It is a great honor to fight a champion like Holly. I’m just looking forward to get the opportunity to fight the best fighters in the world. I have no doubt that we are going to put on a great show for all of the fans to see. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the victory, is my mantra.”
