Holm: "I Still
Have a Good Five Years"
By Andy Rivera
June 1, 2009
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When discussing how much longer
Undisputed Welterweight women’s Champion Holly Holm wants to
continue her boxing career I had thought maybe she’d say 2-3
years tops; Holm replied with no hesitation, “I have a good five
years left before I even think about retiring.”
Holm still has the fire and drive to leave even a bigger mark on
her already growing legend in women’s’ boxing. “I still have a
lot of goals to achieve and there is always someone out there to
test me”, stated Holm this past week.
Up for Holm will be a WIBA defense against unbeaten Duda
Yankovich this coming
Friday at Isleta Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Yankovich is
the current WIBI Jr. Welterweight champion. Yankovich brings an
unbeaten record against Holm at 11-0, but that doesn’t worry
Holm.
”I haven’t seen much of her, just on Youtube, but other then
that not much more. She has a good martial arts background and
throws straight punches so I expect a good fight from her.”
In preparing for Yankovich, Holm and trainer Mike Winklejohn are
always trying to improve Holm’s already great boxing skills, as
well as add new things each time out.
”We are always trying to better ourselves in training, always
working on angles, power, and different things that might work
against my opponent. We are always looking to not be so
predictable come fight night”.
Yankovich wasn’t present at the press conference to announce the
fight card, but Holm isn’t worried about Yankovich not showing
up in Albuquerque this week.
”I trust Lenny (Fresquez) and he wouldn’t spend all the time and
effort in trying to get us this fight, so when she didn’t show I
wasn’t worried at all.”
Holm has secured herself as pound for pound women’s top fighter
and knows there is someone out there always looking to knock her
off; that is what keeps her going and motivated.
”There is always someone out there, there is up and coming
fighters who can develop into a challenge and there is also a
lot of European fighters out there who are top fighters and
provide a challenge as well.”
In bringing up possible challenges, Holm mentioned Sophie Marie
Mathis from France as a possible foe.
”Mathis is very good; she beat Myriam Lamare twice (Holm
defeated Lamare this past January) and hasn’t lost since her
second fight. She knocked out Jane Couch and beat Brenda
Laracuente, so we have several common opponents; she would be
someone out there for me”.
Recently women’s boxing has gotten a boost from former world
champion Anne Wolfe and her training top Jr. Middleweight
contender James Kirkland. It is a big story; due to the fact,
that she trains a male fighter. Holm does not see herself in
that capacity when asked about training men, or for that matter,
anyone.
”I will still be around the gym and sport in some capacity, and
I don’t think about training anyone, but who knows what will
happen when I retire”.
Retiring isn’t on Holm’s mind anytime soon; for women boxers
from 140-154 that isn’t good news. For women’s boxing-that’s
great news as she hopes to keep improving and adding to her
legacy.
For more information you may contact Fresquez Productions at
505-884-7484 or visit us at fresquezproductions.com.
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