Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Earlier this week, Stephanie Han said “fighting Holly Holm is like a dream come true.”

Han will defend her WBA lightweight world title and have a chance to record a win against the combat sports legend Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and live globally on DAZN.

Han (11-0, 3 KOs) captured the WBA title with a first-round knockout of Hannah Terlep last February before overcoming an early knockdown to outpoint Paulina Angel via unanimous decision in August. Meanwhile, Holm (34-2-3, 9 KOs) returned to boxing on a triumphant note last June, defeating Yolanda Vega in a unanimous decision shutout. A win and the 44-year-old Holm could move one step closer to possibly making a showdown with Katie Taylor a reality.

Will Holm become a four-division world champion in boxing? Or will Han deliver the statement win of her career? With the anticipation building, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both fighters.

Stephanie Han’s Keys to Victory

Make deposits to the body

Stephanie Han has a tendency to head hunt a bit too much and in doing so could neglect the body.

Making conscious deposits to the body against a sharp, experienced technician like Holly Holm could go long ways to slowing the veteran down and possibly even leaving her ripe for more damage upstairs.

Pressure with volume

Han naturally pressures well. Trying to overwhelm Holm and get the legend out of her comfort zone are the champ’s best bets to victory, especially considering this fight will be contested at three-minute rounds.

The onus is on Han to dictate the pace of this bout, bringing it to Holm with a constant fighting flow.

Do not get too erratic in the pocket

Although Han is an action-packed fighter inside, she often gets a bit erratic in cramped quarters. This occurred in her last fight against Paulina Angel and Han suffered a first-round knockdown because of it. She recovered against Angel to score a unanimous decision but cannot afford hiccups like this against a ring general like Holm.

Going a bit wide on her attempts will give a savvy vet like Holm opportunities to catch her with a pointed counterpunch.

Therefore, Han has to fight her fight without getting too open and wild during exchanges.

Holly Holm’s Keys to Victory

Pepper with the jab early to control the distance

As the more experienced boxer against a forward-fighting champion, Holm must assert her jab early.

Doing so will allow Holm to establish her range and pepper Stephanie Han from the outside steadily.

Find a home with left hand

Once the jab is asserted and finding its marks regularly, the southpaw Holm should bring along the left.

Finding a home with the left hand could give judges the eye candy needed to reward Holm with points and the banked rounds that comes with them.

Catch Han in traffic with the left hook

Knowing that Han can get a bit overzealous in the pocket, especially during heated exchanges, Holm must have the whereabouts, timing and pop with her left hook to catch the champ in traffic.

Doing so could grant Holm the defining moment in the bout in the form of a knockdown toward a championship win and another accolade in a decorated Hall of Fame career.

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