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Boxing: Holm fights to promote women

World champ faces Hallback in nationally televised event

By Michael Garcia
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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Holly Holm and Chevelle Hallback are on the same side.

Well, not when they step into opposite ends of the ring tonight to trade punches with a world title belt at stake.

Holm and Hallback share a common goal, however - to promote and uplift women's boxing.

To that end, they will face each other in the main event of an ESPN2 boxing card, with the winner taking home plenty of national exposure.

"This is huge for the sport," Holm said at Tuesday's weigh-in at the Jockey Club in the Downs at Albuquerque. "I've always watched boxing on ESPN, and I never thought I'd get a chance to fight on there."

"If I thought I would ever get the chance, I thought it would be on the undercard. But we're the main event. That's pretty special."

Holm (17-1-2, 5 KOs) will defend her International Female Boxing Association junior welterweight title in a 10-round bout against Hallback (25-4-1, 11 KOs) tonight at Tingley Coliseum. The well-chiseled Holm weighed 139 pounds for the bout; Hallback was two pounds lighter and a few inches shorter.

Hallback, a veteran fighter from Tampa, Fla., said she's fighting in Holm's hometown for a chance to enhance her career in a sport she has been competing in for 10 years.

"This is my second time on ESPN2," Hallback said. "It's always exciting anytime I can get national exposure.

"Some people say women's boxing is dying, but we're the main event. The guys are fighting on our card. I think we've finally arrived."

In the semi-main event, Clarence "Bones" Adams (42-6-4, 9 KOs), who is based out of Las Vegas, Nev., will fight Albuquerque's David Martinez (17-2-1, 3 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas featherweight title. Five other bouts are scheduled.

Tickets, starting at $25, remain available through Ticketmaster locations or by calling 884-7484. Students and military can receive a $5 discount at the door with valid ID.

Promoter Lenny Fresquez said he expects Tingley, which will be curtained off like it is during Albuquerque Thunderbirds games, to seat about 5,000.

First bell is at 5:30 p.m. with the televised bouts beginning at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Both Holm and Hallback say they expect an action-packed bout that should give fans their money's worth. It's also why they say women's boxing is so much fun to watch rather than most men's fights.

"Right now, I think a lot of people are enjoying these fights a lot more than the guys," said Holm, who will be making her second straight appearance on national TV.

Holm defeated Ann Saccurato in a bout at Isleta Casino & Resort on March 22 that was televised by Fox's "Best Damn Sports Show Period." The positive national exposure she received from that victory led to tonight's ESPN2 appearance.

Hallback said boxing fans savor the action women's boxers provide.

"We fight. We're exciting," Hallback said. "Guys get in there and make love. We actually get in there and fight."

Holm said she's eager to fight in the much roomier Tingley Coliseum and hopes her fans that followed her career at Isleta come to support her.

"We hope it's as loud as her other fights," said Holm's trainer, Mike Wilkeljohn. "Holly's ready. She's focused. I was told a long time ago not to fight this girl (Hallback); she's that good. But Holly's the world champ. She fights anybody. We expect a lot of action.

"Hopefully, this will lead to something even bigger for Holly."