The ESPN televised boxing card, which was well produced by Most Valuable Promotions, brought a great deal of excitement and energy to the El Paso County Coliseum for fans and the boxers alike.
So what did the May 30, 2026 fight card mean for women’s boxing in the Borderland? What did the fight mean for El Paso’s Stephanie Han?
The emotion after the Han and Holly Holm WBA lightweight title fight showed why boxing fans are so passionate particularly with regard to El Paso and New Mexico fans.
Reaction to Stephanie Han, Holly Holm decision
Han of El Paso earned a majority decision win vs. Holm of Albuquerque to retain her WBA lightweight title and defeat Holm for the second time. It was a close fight with Han winning 96-94 by the standards of two judges , while one judge scored it 95-95.
Many on social media platforms or those who were at the fight argued that Holm won the fight, some thought Han won, while others thought it could have been a draw.
The passion of boxing fans and combat sports has always been intense. Many fighters are beloved and are passionately followed by their fans and that’s why, in part, I care for the sport so much. Everyone has something to opine about — especially championship fights.
Why I scored the fight for Stephanie Han
I scored the fight 96-94 for Han as I watched the fight live in the arena.
Here is why: I felt Han landed the more effective punches, not necessarily the most punches, in the first five rounds. Han was quicker and was in control, albeit, by a close margin the first five rounds. I believe Han won four of the first five rounds.
The second half of the fight saw Holm turn it on and be more aggressive on offense. There is no doubt Holm won rounds seven through nine.
But overall I thought Han won the fight, but I understand the 95-95 scorecard because some rounds were tough to score and I understand why fans and experts felt Holm won.
Are you saying how ultimately prevailed by winning Rounds 6 and 10? I believe Han won rounds 6 and 10 with again more effective punching and these rounds proved to be the ultimate deciding factor.
Holm was emotional in the post fight news conference and no doubt she earned the right to feel that way. Han was confident in her own manner that she won the fight and held fast that she did enough to win.
What MVP promoted fight means for women’s boxing in Borderland?
El Paso and Las Cruces are loaded with talent in amatuer and professional women’s boxing. While Han is the lone fighter promoted by MVP and well-known co-founder, Jake Paul.
I believe this promotion will pay dividends for El Paso and Las Cruces boxers down the road.
Han helped prove that Borderland boxing fans will show up in large numbers to support top-level women boxers fighting in high stakes matches.
The May 30 fight card also was enhanced by the presence of Puerto Rican superstar featherweight Amanda Serrano, who joined a lengthy list of famous fighters to fight in El Paso through the years.
Up and coming talent such as Ivy Enriquez, Nayeli Rodriguez and Kayla Gomez from El Paso and Joselyn Olayo-Munoz and Ariana Carrasco will surely benefit from the rising attention women boxers are receiving and don’t be surprised to see more fights involving them get televised.
What does May 30 fight card mean for Stephanie Han?
Han will move forward without a doubt with more big fights. She has proven herself capable of beating quality opponents in Holm, Miranda Reyes and Paulina Angel.
Han is a great champion for boxing and her home city of El Paso much like Holm is for Albuquerque and Serrano is for the Puerto Rican community.
Han’s profile has certainly risen in the past 16 months since winning the title and defending it three times, so much so that fighters such as WBC and WBO champion Caroline Dubois are now calling her out.
Han is in a place in her boxing career that quite honestly nobody but the 35-year-old Han could have envisioned nearly five years ago when she started a comeback in the sport.
But Han’s determination and confidence in herself has helped make women’s boxing something to respect and has created a path for others in the Borderland.
Han showed Holm a lot of respect in the heat of battle, but she should ignore what she called “negativity” after the title fight decision. To Han, I say there is no need for remorse. You beat a legend twice.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Rewind: A look back at the Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm fight in El Paso
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
