Han vs Holm Predictions: Living legend eyes the WBA lightweight gold

Fight legend Holly Holm takes the second step of her boxing comeback this Saturday, January 3 against WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han. The bout serves as the co-main event for Amanda Serrano’s homecoming at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. DAZN will air the event live.

Read on for my Han vs Holm predictions.

Han vs Holm Odds

The champion Han is the underdog in the markets, backed at 15/8 to see off the challenge of Holm. The challenger is 1/2 to become a boxing world champion once again. The most unsatisfying finish in boxing, the draw, is priced at 12/1.

Han vs Holm Fight Preview

Han is in an unusual position for a world champion. The WBA lightweight queen is almost a stepping-stone here. Viewed merely in the context of what losing her title would mean for Holm. 

Han clinched the WBA 135lb vacated by Katie Taylor with a spectacular first-round KO of Hannah Terlep a year ago. The champion capped a fine 2025 with a 10-round decision victory in her first defence, against Paulina Angel.

Undefeated in 11 fights, the tough Texan is a worthy world champion and deserves better than a bit part in the Holly Holm Show.

But it is difficult for Holm’s legacy not to coruscate among any opposition. As a boxer, she is a two-time The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year, a three-weight world champion with 18 title defences. Holm is already in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is a staple of any list of the greatest female boxers of all-time.

That legacy was sealed when ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ crossed over into MMA. Before Conor McGregor opened the doors for UFC fighters to use boxing as a money-spinner when their cage careers are on the wane, Holm entered the Octagon for serious competition, not celebrity.

In November 2015, Holm became the first fighter to beat Ronda Rousey in MMA, dethroning her for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. While she never hit that lofty height again, Holm left MMA behind with a memorable 15-7-1 record and a raft of individual awards for Fighter, Fight, Knockout and Upset of the Year for her efforts. 

Quite simply, Holm is one of the most dangerous and successful combat sports athletes on the planet. Which made her boxing comeback at the age of 43 less worrying than many of her ex-MMA brethren trying to make a quick buck in the square ring. 

Holm’s first boxing match in a decade ended in a unanimous decision win over Yolanda Vega last June. The southpaw still had her speed and was attack-minded throughout. Understandably, Holm was a little ragged at times as she readjusted to her former sport. But it was a dominant points win for the returnee.

This is a far harder test. Han is a world-level proposition with some power and experience, albeit less of the latter than Holm. This is a good fight and a chance for boxing’s history girl to hit the record books again. Who would dare count out the ‘Preacher’s Daughter’?

Han vs Holm Fight Card

Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez

Yankiel Rivera Figueroa vs Jonathan Gonzalez

Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm

Henry Lebron vs Juan Tapia

Jan Paul Rivera-Pizarro vs Alfredo Cruz

Ebanie Bridges vs Alexis Araiza Mones

Krystal Rosado-Ortiz vs Tania Walters

Abner Figueroa Cotto vs Edwin Rodriguez

Alexis Chaparro vs Augusto Leal Salazar

Chris Echevarria vs Gabriel Bernardi Cruz

Yandiel Lozano vs Johniel Ramos Cotto

Elise Soto vs Liliana Martinez

Caleb Josue Tirado Pagan vs Justin Hill

Han vs Holm Prediction

Han is a warrior. She likes to stand and trade. Her points nod over Angel was a brutal affair from which the champion left with her belt and a brand new cut over her eye. Han’s title-winning effort against Terlep was ruthless. The 35-year-old is coming to throw bombs, win or lose.

Holm likes a tear-up herself and at times against Vega you could see the veteran’s frustration that her opponent would not go into battle. Han will not leave the 44-year-old wanting on that score.

I think Holm’s multi-faceted game will win the day but she will have to work incredibly hard to take home that WBA belt. I’m picking Holm to win at 1/2.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.