(MAY 21) 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!
