Jake Paul has crowned an incredible week for his Most Valuables Promotion (MVP) stable by adding another generational superstar to its roster.
Just a couple of days ago, ‘The Problem Child’ made waves by signing two British greats in the shape of Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron.
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And now he has announced that crossover superstar Holly ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ Holm is coming back after signing a promotional deal and will fight on the undercard of that Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr blockbuster in Anaheim on Saturday June 28. She will meet Yolanda Vega (10-0) in a 10-rounder.
Holm a crossover great
Holm (33-2 with 9 KOs) is of course not only a boxing great but a UFC great as well. She might be best known for handing the great Ronda Rousey her first ever pro defeat in that shocking upset in Melbourne, Australia in November 2015. But she was also a boxing world champion as well, widely regarded as the most dominant two-sport athlete in combat sports history.
A pioneer in women’s boxing and a trailblazer in MMA, the now 43-year-old Holm is the only fighter to hold world titles in both disciplines, cementing her legacy as a generational talent and global icon.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Holm grew up with a background in soccer, gymnastics, and swimming before discovering her passion and talent for boxing and kickboxing. In the fall of 2001, Holm won the IKF national amateur championship title before making her pro boxing debut in January 2002, winning by TKO over Martha Deitchman.
Quickly establishing her dominance in the pro ranks, Holly earned her first title shot at the IBA super lightweight title in December 2004, earning a 10-round unanimous decision win over Terri Blair. After three title defense victories, she moved up to the welterweight class at 147 lbs and secured the WBA welterweight title in a unanimous decision over Angelica Martinez in June 2006.
In June 2008, Holm stepped up to 154lbs in the super welterweight division and cruised to a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mary Jo Sanders, winning the then-vacant IBA and WBAN super welterweight titles.
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In December 2011, Holm was defeated by Anne Sophie Mathis as the pair contested for the vacant IBA female and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm quickly reclaimed her winning streak as she faced Mathis in a rematch in June 2012, avenging the loss with a unanimous decision victory and adding the WBF, IBA, and WBAN titles to her collection.
Holm then moved back down to the super lightweight division to compete for the vacant WBF and IBA titles, winning by decision over Diana Prazak. In May 2013, Holm cemented her legacy as an 18-time world champion across three weight classes as she successfully defended the WBF and IBA super lightweight titles against Mary McGee that month. She has not fought in a boxing ring since.
Holm then pivoted her electrifying career into MMA, signing a multifight deal with the UFC in 2014. Her MMA career culminated in her headlining megafight against then-undefeated bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in November 2015, the most highly attended UFC event in history at the time.
Rousey was the overwhelming favourite going into the bout, but Holm came into the bout strong, leveraging her southpaw stance and boxing skill to control the opening round before landing a sensational knockout in the second round – and handing Rousey her first loss. As she earned the title, Holm became the first person to win championships in both boxing and MMA.
After announcing her signing with MVP, she said: “I’m excited to partner with Most Valuable Promotions and return to the boxing ring. This new chapter is going to be an exciting journey, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. Coming full circle back to boxing – I’ve spent most of my MMA career at 135 pounds, and now I have the opportunity to make my boxing debut at that weight. With boxing titles in three higher weight classes under my belt, I’m eager to pursue a fourth title in a new division.”
Big chance for Vega
Undefeated Mexican superstar Vega meanwhile has quickly emerged as one of the brightest talents around. Since making her pro boxing debut against Julissa Alejandra Guzman in July 2015, She has built a name for herself with her technical precision with relentless determination. Ranked as Boxrec’s #13 super lightweight women’s boxer in the world, Vega has established herself as a standout in Mexican boxing, with standout career moments such as her TKO win over Cintia Cardona Ortega in November 2023.
After retaining an undefeated record for nearly 10 years, Vega secured a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Claudia Fernanda Herrera Lopez in her most recent bout in March 2025 to earn the WBA Fedelatin super lightweight title. Riding the momentum of that win, she now sets her sights on extending her undefeated streak as she prepares to take on Holm in her first fight outside of Mexico on Saturday, June 28.
She said: “I feel very happy and grateful to God that a company of this magnitude has taken me into account to join their roster. I am very committed because I know what it means to fight among the highest elite ranks and I trust a lot in my work reflecting at MVP.
“Fighting against a champion of this stature on Saturday, June 28 brings me closer to my aim of becoming a world champion. I respect and admire her work a lot, but today she has become my next goal, and goals are meant to be achieved.”
