Jennifer Han retains title after defeating Liliana Martinez Saturday night
EL PASO, Texas – Jennifer Han out-maneuvered and out-boxed Liliana Martinez Saturday night at the Don Haskins Center to retain her IBF Featherweight world title.
All three judges scored the fight in favor of Han after ten rounds of boxing.
It was Han’s second consecutive successful title defense – the last coming in April at Southwest University Park against challenger Calista Silgado. That fight was also scored unanimously in favor of Han after going the distance.
Leading up to Saturday’s fight, Han’s opponent, Liliana Martinez, claimed that Han had never fought someone with her strength.
But Martinez wasn’t able to connect on very many power punches, as Han put on a defensive clinic and utilized her jab to stay out of trouble.
Han complained that Martinez resorted to dirty tactics during the fight, including a head butt, which Han said resulted in a large cut on her lip.
The referee could be seen warning both fighters to keep it clean multiple times throughout the fight.
Martinez appeared to become desperate as the fight went on, throwing wild hooks in the hopes of landing a knockout. Han was able to to avoid those punches easily to claim the unanimous decision.
Han says she hopes to fight very soon, but her camp would not give out any details regarding possible opponents.
Already a member of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame and a world champion, Han says her next goal is to be considered the best female boxer of all-time.
It’s a lofty goal, but she took a step in the right direction Saturday night.
