By Andy Rivera at ringside (photo by Tom Hernandez)

In what could be the beginning of one era and the end of another, Albuquerque’s Holly Holm upset Christy Martin at the Isleta Casino at Isleta, New Mexico before a sold out crowd of 2,800 screaming fans. Holm was quicker than Martin from the get-go, as Martin looked to be too small and couldn’t get closer to the taller Holm. Holm won just about every round on all of the scorecards, as Chuck Giampa and Rocky Burke had it 100-90, while Fred Flutie scored it 98-92, all for Holm, who raises her record to 11-1-2, while Martin falls to 46-4-2.

The card was promoted by Fresquez Productions.

Holm got on her bicycle for most of the opening round while Martin tries to find away to get inside of Holm’s long reach. Holm is able to land a few one-twos to capture the round. Martin did land some good body shots, but Holm stuck to her fight plan.

Martin seemed to get a little closer to Holm by going to the body then firing left hooks to the head. Holm one again kept to her plan sticking and moving, being very effective executing and keeping Martin at a distance.

Round three saw Martin land two god right hands that had Holm a little hurt, but to Holm’s credit she fired back with left hands of her own, bring the sold-out crowd to its feet and stealing the round.

Holm, once again showed the poise of an experienced fighter, as she seemed to frustrate Martin with her movement and quick flurries. Martin was unable to get close and the rounds were starting to mount up for Holm, as Martin was loading up and unable to land something meaningful.

The fifth and sixth rounds were all Holm as she was beating Martin to the punch, Martin up to this point had yet to figure a way to close the gap on the taller Holm, it was quick flurries for Holm to get out of harm’s way. It was looking more and more as if Martin would need a knockout.

A huge mouse under Martin’s right was showing the effects of Holms quicker flurries, as she was able to not get rattled from Martin’s huge right hand lead.  The crowd was getting louder and louder as each round ended as the upset looked to be possible.

Just when you think Martin would get closer to land her lead right, Holm would flurry with quick right-lefts to Martin’s face, then Holm would retreat to get away from the shorter Martin.

The ninth saw Martin land a few good right hands to Holms head, but each time Martin landed Holm came back stronger, she looked to be the one fighting with 50 fights. All she needed to do was stay away in the last round and she had her upset.

Round ten saw Holm jumping up and down before the beginning of the round, from there she coasted the round in order to stay away from Martin, who was try like heck to land one good right hand. Holm would have none of it as she had the crowd on her feet while she landed a few more quick flurries to end the fight.

In other action
Amateur star Austin Trout, 1-0, had a successful pro debut by halting Justo Almanzan (14-45-5) in the third round.

 Hector Munoz (13-1, 8 KOs) TKO’d late sub Yacob Abraham (2-7, 1 KO) in Round 5.

Aex Becerra (17-3, 7 KOs) returned after a year long layoff and outboxed Paulino Villalobos (23-32-2, 4 KOs) for an eight-round unanimous decision.

Cuauhtemoc Vargas (14-0-1, 9 KOs) with new trainer Jake Valencia eased his way to an eight-round unanimous decision over Saul Briseno (17-24-2, 15 KOs).

Carlos Madrid (5-0, 1 KO) put down Stevie Marquez (5-6-1, 4 KOs) en route to a four-round unanimous decision in the opening bout.