One of the most anticipated rematches in women’s boxing is less than a month away, as WBF World Welterweight Champion Anne Sophie Mathis and challenger Holly Holm prepares for their second clash on June 15 in the latter’s home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. While Frenchman Mathis (26-1, 22 KOs) won their original meeting in December of last year by devastating seventh round knockout, Holm (30-2-3, 9 KOs) is still considered one of the best pound-for-pound female campaigners in the sport, and without a doubt the second best in the welterweight division..
In their first fight Holm got off to a good start and in many observers opinion nicked the first four rounds as Mathis seemed to be assessing her opponent before taking over from the fifth. Holm claims to have strayed from the fight plan laid out by trainer Mike Winkeljohn, and that this won’t happen again in the rematch:
“I simply didn’t execute it (the fight plan). This time I want to do the good things I did in the first four rounds (of the last fight) and do them even better. A lot of people are asking if I changed the game plan. It’s really not a game plan change, it just let’s do the game plan”, said Holm at a recent press conference announcing the second go-around.
Mathis, however, feels that whatever happens, the result will be the same, even if it unfolds differently, confidently saying:
“One way or another, the fight will be different. Either she will fight differently or I will. We know each other’s style. If she backs up, I’ll come forward. If she comes forward, I’ll meet her. At the end of the day I will be the winner again.”
34-year-old Mathis has not lost a fight since her second pro outing in 1995 when she got beat by the more experienced and undefeated future world champion Marischa Sjauw in Holland. Since then she has captured several world titles at light welter and welterweight, and established herself as the best 147 pounder on the planet.
Besides the loss to Mathis, Holly Holm hasn’t been defeated since 2004, and like her rival on June 15 she has won several world championships. She has actually done one better than Mathis by winning titles in three weight classes, from light welter to light middleweight, and has a very impressive overall record in world title bouts of 18-1-1 (6).
Both women have incredible credentials, but who will be able to adjust with most success when they face each other again. Will Mathis again prove too tough and skilled for Holm, or will Holm fulfill her promise of righting the wrongs from the original encounter. And will it be enough?
This is without a doubt the most appealing female fight of the year so far!
Holm vs. Mathis on June 15
ALBUQUERQUE, NM (May 20, 2012) – For the first time in nearly eight years, nine-time World Champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (26-1, 22 KOs) will enter the ring coming off of a loss, seeking retribution June 15 from French knockout specialist Anne Sophie Mathis (30-2-3, 9 KOs), who stopped fan-favorite Holm in the seventh round of their International Boxing Association (IBA) and WBAN title fight last December, also fought for the mythical women’s pound-for-pound championship.
Mathis-Holm II headlines “The Reckoning,” presented by Fresquez Productions, in a 10-round main event at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I felt like I was fighting well but got a little over anxious,” the newly married Holm reflected. “I felt that I could land and wanted to follow-up, but I didn’t stick to my defensive game plan. I didn’t fully respect her power like I should have. It was definitely the toughest fight I’ve ever had. She’s a stubborn-minded fighter unlike fighters I’ve faced. She’s not cocky, or overconfident, just tough.
“She knows what I want to do but she’s not scared of me. She’s a good fighter who is confident of beating me. I’m confident I can beat her in this fight. I’ve evaluated a lot of things, taking what I did wrong, and making them right for this fight and beyond. I lost but I’ve learned the most from losing to make myself better for this fight.”
Mathis, who was fighting in the United States for the first time, snapped Holm’s seven-year, 24-fight unbeaten streak.
“I lost that fight, no excuses,” Holly added. “I just got beat. There’s no way around it. I had to be honest with myself to get better. It happened. Maybe it was good that it happened for me to get better at this stage of my career.
“I could have fought the rest of my career, never losing again, but I wanted to fight her. It was a rough fight for me and I’ve battled my demons over that night. If I didn’t believe in myself, I’ve already lost. Nobody is going in there fighting for me.”
During the course of her 10 ½ year professional career, has defeated many of the biggest names in women’s boxing from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Couch, Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).
Seven-time and reigning IBA/WBAN World Champion Mathis is riding a 25-fight win streak, dating back to 1995 when she lost her second pro fight. She has beaten world champions such as Holm, Myriam Lamare (twice), Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich, Ana Pascal and Nathalie Toro.
Go online to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about “The Reckoning.”