More than 7,000 fans packed the El Paso County Coliseum on May 30, hollering in anticipation and fixated on the big screens as they waited for the main event. Finally, undefeated boxer Stephanie Han walked out in her pink boxing robe to Krystall Poppin’s “The Moment.” Behind her, her lightweight champion belt was held up high as she prepared to defend it for the third time.

But this time was different. Although Han had fought this fight before, this was the first time she was stepping into the ring against Holly Holm in front of a hometown crowd. 

“I’m so blessed that everyone came out and not only showed support to me, but all the other fights that were amazing,” she said. “I visualized it being sold out, but it’s different from visualizing it and actually experiencing it,” Han said. “The first two rounds I couldn’t even process, and I was basically fighting off instinct.”

Han successfully defended her WBA women’s lightweight title for the third time, earning a majority decision victory with judges’ scores of 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94, a result that generated controversy among fans and observers. 

“Usually, I don’t get nervous for fights or let that overtake me, but this was a new type of adjustment for me,” she said. “I spar 100 times better than what I performed, but even though it wasn’t my best performance, I know that I still won the fight. It was a close match, yes, but I still did enough to win, and I know I’m only going to get better from this.”

According to CompuBox statistics, Holm landed a total of 107 of 437 punches compared to Han’s 70 of 35. Holm also finished with a 24% accuracy rate, with Han finishing with 20%. Fans quickly began debating the judges’ scorecards following the fight. However, boxing is scored round by round rather than through total punches landed, and two of the three judges awarded the fight to Han, while the third ruled it a draw.

“We’re always learning, like always,” she said. “No one could take away that feeling of the hometown crowd. I know that there is a lot of negativity and controversy from the decision, but just living that moment, like it’s going to be one of the highlights of my life.”

Han’s journey to the title started at 10 years old. Her father, Master Bae Hyun Han, immigrated from South Korea and taught all five of his children in his martial arts gyms. 

“He forced all of us to do it,” she laughed. “I’m the youngest with my twin sister. My older siblings did it, so we had to follow in their footsteps. As a kid, I hated it. I hated competing because I just wanted to be home and watch TV, but I appreciate my dad so much more for the life lessons that he’s taught us and the gifts that he gave us.”

Han competed in martial arts, kickboxing, and boxing, and joined the wrestling team during her time at Irvin High School. At 20 years old, Han decided to take a hiatus, but sparring with her older sister, former International Boxing Federation women’s featherweight champion Jennifer Han, reignited that passion.

“I came back to boxing at 30 to help my sister Jennifer prepare for her boxing fight against Katie Taylor,” she said. “You know, taking 10 years off, I thought I was going to suck, but it’s like I left off where I was when I was 20. I realized I still had a gift. So, I came back with the intention of being a world champion, and I was able to make that dream a reality four years later.”

While Han proudly wears her championship belt, it is far from the only title she holds. Outside of the ring, she serves as a police officer, occasionally models, and is a mother to two children, all commitments made possible by a strong support system anchored by her family. Even under the bright lights of the arena, she has reminders of them, represented by two butterfly patches she wears on her boxing robe. 

“My son is 11 and my daughter is 8,” she said. “The butterflies represent my beautiful babies, especially my daughter. My daughter has a genetic syndrome called Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, and there are only about 300 cases worldwide. My forever baby won’t walk and won’t talk. I don’t know how long I have with her, so I appreciate every day with her. I can’t picture life without her. We’re the blessed ones.”

Her support system and years of hard work led Han’s career to this last victory, continuing her undefeated streak. Living off the high, Han called out super lightweight world champion Katie Taylor, who defeated Han’s sister in 2021. 

“She’s considered the greatest woman of all time for a reason,” she said about Taylor. “She has so many championships under her belt, and she’s also such a good human being. Her last fight is coming up, so I hope I get picked, but I don’t think I’m going to be the chosen one, and that’s OK. Everyone wants her because she’s the best. As an amateur, I looked up to her. I would love that opportunity because she beat my sister and I want to avenge her loss.”

Regardless of whether the fight with Taylor transpires, Han says she still has a lot to look forward to. After defending her title multiple times, the world champion wants to continue making her name known among the big names in the game. 

“I still feel like I have a lot to prove,” she said. “I know whoever I fight, if it’s Caroline Dubois or Katie Taylor, those ladies push me, and I want to show that I am a world champion for a reason.”

Han wears the belt with honor, acknowledging the dedication behind it. Her success story would not have happened if she didn’t believe in herself and overcome the intimidation that comes with stepping into the ring.

“When I told people that I was coming back to boxing at 30 years old, their first reaction was, ’You’re 30 years old and a mom,’ ” she said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing if I’m able to inspire people. The most heartwarming stories are parents telling me that seeing me helped them realize that even though they are moms, they can still have a dream for themselves. The whole world could want to see you fail, but only you can prove them wrong.”