Under dagen igår, den 16:de april, så chockade världsmästarinnan Holly Holm (boxning: 32 – 2 – 3) hela kampsportsvärlden när hon meddelade att hon säger upp sin karriär inom boxningsringen, direkt efter hennes planerade match mot Mary McGee (20 – 1), som inträffar den 11:e maj. Detta innebär att hennes match mot Cecilia Braekhus (22 – 0 – 0) ställs in. Istället tänker hon satsa inom MMA (3 – 0 – 0), där hennes stora passion egentligen ligger. Såhär uttryckte hon sitt beslut under presskonferensen:
Since I first started fighting, it became my passion. I decided a long time ago, after quitting school to fight, that I would box as long as my heart was in it. One of my biggest and controversial fights was against Christy Martin. Then, it was Mary Jo Sanders. There’s always a champion. This is my own journey. Every one of my fights have helped me to believe in myself.
When we were deciding which way to go with my future, my trainer, Mike Winkeljohn, said it best, ’You want to climb a new mountain.’ This thing has created a new spark in me and I’m following my heart. I wish much success to Cecilia (Braekhus) but not fighting her does not, by any means, define my boxing career. I know there’s a lot of talk about that but what does that say about all the women I’ve already fought? I’ve never been a paper champion. I’ve grown so much every step of the way. I’m in this fight, on May 11,100 percent; I’m not distracted. This is obviously an emotional, spiritual and physical journey and I’m so grateful for the people who have supported me. I just want to fight where my passion is (MMA). I train in an MMA gym and always have.
Hon kommer försvara sin titel en sista gång, på Route 66 Casino Hotel i Albququerque, New Mexico, och såhär uttalade sig hennes promoter Lenny Fresquez angående Holms val att byta till enbart MMA, och hennes inställda match mot Braekhus:
I love Holly’s team — the chemistry, the fans, the loyalty. Regarding Cecilia — Holly doesn’t need anybody! She is headed toward the boxing (International) Hall of Fame and is already named for the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame. We will continue the Holly Holm saga. She’s at the top of her game and we support her history-making decision.
Holms tränare och manager, Mike Winkeljohn, uttryckte sig såhär om saken:
We are going forward with Holly’s MMA career and there’s nobody better than Lenny Fresquez to take us to that next level. I found it hard to bounce back and forth between MMA and boxing. Holly is focused. Expect the best Holly ever. Her future is bright.
Det kretsar många fina ord kring Holly Holm, och att döma från hennes boxningskarriär så kommer den kvinnliga MMA-världen att få se upp, en ny stjärna har fötts i oktagonen, och den brinner starkt.
Unibet erbjuder Sveriges bästa MMA betting
