Site Map | Archives

Home › Sports › Boxing

Boxing: National spotlight on Holm

Duke City's own doesn't shy away from speaking for sport

By Jeremy Fowler
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

If you go

What: Destiny - an International Female Boxers Association match featuring Albuquerque's Holly Holm

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Isleta Casino & Resort

Sponsors: Best Damn Sports Show Period, Isleta and Fresquez Productions

On the card: Holm (16-1-2, 5 Knockouts) vs. Ann Saccurato (12-1-2, 5 KOs) in the main event; also featuring Jackie Chavez vs. Lisa Brown; Kelsey Jeffries vs. Rhonda Luna; Joe Gomez vs. Michael Soberanis; Willie Villanueva vs. Derek Lopez; Clara De La Torre vs. Leanne Villareal

Not that big business is Holly Holm's only motive, but it's something the happy-go-lucky personality can't ignore.

When you're the first female headliner on national television since Laila Ali, you have to act like it.

Female boxing is getting a jolt of publicity thanks to the Fox Sports Network, which is hosting Holm's fight Thursday against Ann Saccurato at the Isleta Casino.

So the blonde Holm threw an ear-to-ear smile to cameras, flexed for pictures and glad-handed people who wanted autographs at Tuesday's news conference at Isleta.

Though pressure to popularize her sport is mounting on Holm's chiseled shoulders, she says it's a healthy pressure.

"I feel I have to perform at all times, whether I'm in the ring or making an appearance," Holm said. "I don't want people to say, `What's the big deal about her?' I want to have an impact and get exposure for everyone fighting. A lot of people don't know who I am outside of New Mexico, so I can't let this opportunity pass me by."

Twelve fighters round out the fight card, but it's clear Holm, an Eldorado grad, garners the most appeal.

She will appear on tonight's episode of FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period, shadowboxing with hosts such as John Salley and Rodney Peete.

Always nervous before fights, Holm said taping the show went smoothly because of her comfort level conversing and making public appearances.

If a little personality evokes interest in the sport, Holm is all for it.

"My dad is a pastor, so I grew up around people all the time," she said. "There's so much that goes into this outside the ring, and that part is pretty easy. Training and fighting is the part that requires the hardest work."

Holm better have her skills honed, because her next opponent is training 24 hours a day - literally.

In recent months, Saccurato has slept in an altitude tent that reaches 12,000 feet to improve her endurance in mile-high New Mexico.

It fits enough for a queen-sized bed, but no refrigerator. When Saccurato isn't sleeping, she said she's training.

If Holm's talent matches the slogan of the evening - "Destiny" - then the Albuquerque boxer won't have any problems.

A win would give Holm six championship belts, a record for the International Female Boxers Association.

"Holly is No. 1, pound for pound, the best fighter in the world," said Lenny Fresquez, her promoter. "I'm so proud of the way she has improved over time."