HOLM HALTS PENNYBAKER WITH 7TH ROUND TKO
By Andy Rivera
Photo's by Tom Hernandez
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In a wild fight Holly Holm defended her IBA Welterweight title with a seventh round stoppage over Shadina Pennybaker at Isleta Casino outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fight was halted after Pennybaker suffered a cut over her right eye, which caused the fight to be stopped. Pennybaker and her camp felt Holm used her head to cause the cut, which was the second cut Pennybaker suffered in the fight, but referee Russ Mora called it a punch. At the time of the stoppage Holm was ahead on the scorecards. Holm raises her record to 13-1-1, while Pennybaker falls to 9-5-1

Both Holm and Pennybaker came out slow early in the opening round, with Holm circling the ring firing her left handed jab with Pennybaker picked most off with her gloves. Holm was able to land a few left hands that won her the round. Both fighter clashed heads at the end of the round, causing a cut on the inner side of Pennybakers left eye.
Both fighters came out more aggressive in round two & three with Holm trapping Pennybaker on the ropes landing quick flurries, Pennybaker would fire back with rights of her own, but she was able to get off one punch at a time; having trouble with Holm’s height.

Holm got credit in round four for a knockdown, when she landed a left hand to the shoulder of Pennybaker, the punch sent her to the ropes where here gloves touched the floor, it was a close call, but referee Russ Mora issued a standing eight count on Pennybaker who complained the whole time. “It was my shoulder! It was my shoulder! None the less it was a 10-8 round for Holm.

The action heated up in the fifth & sixth as Holm and Pennybaker traded away, Holm landing her left hand while Pennybaker landing right hands, neither fighter was hurt but points were being scored. Holm would have the edge in the round by throwing more.

Holm would come out firing in the seventh round sensing she was getting closer to Pennybaker, going in landing lefts and rights to the head. As both fighter came in it looked as if the clashed heads again causing a huge cut right side of Pennybakers eye. Pennybaker would step aside telling Mora that she head butted me, Mora called time and had the ring doctor take a look at the cut, Pennybaker was allowed to continue. As Holm looked land another left hand, Mora once again called time to have the ring doctor take another look, this time the fight was called off. The cut was ruled caused by a punch with Holm getting credit for a tko victory.

In the only comment regarding the stoppage, which I feel was correct due to severity of the cut; it had no bearing on the outcome, with Holm ahead on the cards once the bout was stopped. I feel that it is the doctor’s responsibility to halt the action if the fighter is cut and should not be allowed to continue. Last nights ring doctor looked twice at the cut never once taking control, looking at Commissioner John Montano, who made the decision to halt the fight rather then the doctor.
The fight was another complete sellout with Holm being the headliner with a crowd of over 2800. Holm’s promoter Lenny Fresquez has done a remarkable job bringing women’s boxing to the forefront in New Mexico and making Holm the #1 draw in Albuquerque.