Female boxer and 14-time world champion in three seperate divisions, Holly ”The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm earlier this year announced her retirement from boxing, she would instead focus on her MMA-career. Her 38th and most likely last boxing match happened this past weekend in her hometown of Albuquerque when she went against Mary McGee and won by unanimous decision.
In a post-fight interview Holm admitted she had felt uncertain ahead of the fight if she had made the right decision leaving the sport. She said she knew where her heart was before the fight, however, she was unsure how she would feel after the fight. But after the fight nothing had changed, she was still leaving for MMA and felt as if it was the right thing to do.
Present at Holm’s final fight was undefeated Norwegian boxer Cecilia Braekhus’ agent, Don Majeski, in another unsuccessful attempt to arrange a bout between the two boxers. Also earlier this year had Holm declined when offered to fight Braekhus. Holm says she knew her passion lied with MMA and that it made no sence to wait around for one big fight. Braekhus has been eager to arrange a meeting with Holm for the past two years, and five months ago she made her a call-out-video letting her know she is heading for Las Vegas this summer, that was just before Holm made her retirement official. Many believes that Holm is avoiding a fight against the Norwegian boxer to prevent damaging her boxing career. Braekhus has defeated a former strong opponent of Holm, Anne Sophie Mathis, the same fighter who on December 2, 2011 won Holm with a knockout. According to Mathis Breakhus is ’in a different league than Holm’.
Braekhus’ manager, Nisse Saureland, says it’s a shame the way Holm’s career ends. Now she’ll only be remembered for running away from the greatest boxer in the world, Cecilia Braekhus.
Holm says she’s 99.9 percent certain she will never again enter the ring for a boxing match, but that it might just happen if a great deal comes along. That leaves a 0.1 percent chance for a future fight against Braekhus.
"True champions don’t run away from big fights," says a disappointed Cecilia Braekhus.
