Holm vs. McGee final presser quotes & picture

MAYHEM Holly Holm vs. Mary McGee IBA & WBF Junior Welterweight Championships Route 66 Casino Hotel ● Albuquerque, NM ● May 11, 2013

Holly Holm-Mary McGee Final Press Conference   IBA & WBF world title fight Saturday night at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque (L-R) Mary McGee & Holly Holm ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (May 9, 2013) - The final press conference was held today at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque for Saturday night's Fresquez Productions-presented "Mayhem" show there, featuring IBA and WBF light welterweight champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) defending against former NABC World lightweight title-holder "Merciless" Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Press Conference Quotes Holly Holm:  "I have lots of emotion surrounding this fight. Even though there's been lots of negativity around, I know I want to try a new path. I'm very proud and honored to share this with you (Mary McGee)." Mary McGee:  "I am very happy to have this opportunity and I want to thank everyone here in New Mexico. People have always been very welcoming to me." Fighting on the "Mayhem" undercard is a group of New Mexico's most promising prospects, showcasing Albuquerque lightweight Matthew Baca (2-1, 2 KO's) vs. Armando Gonzales (2-2, 1 KO) in a six-round bout.  Also in action in four round matches are welterweight Rocky "El Torito" Romero (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. 11-fight veteran Michael Coca Gallegos, light middleweight Cris Leyva (1-0) vs. Manuel Eastman (1-3), lightweights making their professional debuts, Gabe Gabaldon vs. Brandon Salazar, and cruiserweights making their pro debuts, Manny Rocha vs. Floyd Olguin, Jr.  All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets, ranging between $25.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase at the Route 66 box office, going online to www.rt66casino.com, or calling 505.884.7484. Go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about "Mayhem."

Mary McGee prepared to spoil Holly Holm's swan song in boxing

MAYHEM Holly Holm vs. Mary McGee IBA & WBF Junior Welterweight Championships Route 66 Casino Hotel ● Albuquerque, NM ● May 11, 2013

IBA & WBF world title fight vs. May 11 at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque    "Merciless" Mary McGee (Photo courtesy of Lori Steinhorst)  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 25 2013) - Former NABC World lightweight title-holder "Merciless" Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) is going to Albuquerque with nothing but respect for her opponent, 14-time, three-division world champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs).  She's also heading there to spoil the soon-to-be-retired Holm's final appearance in a boxing ring, on Saturday night, May 11, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. Holm recently announced that she will retire from boxing after this fight to pursue her mixed-martial-arts career.  McGee will challenge Holm for her International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior welterweight titles in the 10-round main event on the "Mayhem" card, presented by Fresquez Productions. Fighting out of Gary, Indiana, McGee earned her title shot against Holm by stopping Victoria Cisneros (TKO4) in her last fight (December 7), on a card headlined by Holm vs.Diana Prazak. The rugged Cisneros had been the full distance against the likes of, among the more notables, Holm (twice), Cecelia Braekhus, Layla McCarter, Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez. "I appreciate the opportunity to fight Holly Holm, who is the biggest name in our sport," McGee said.  "A fight like this is good for our sport and I'm glad to be in it.  She is a true champion who has always fought the best. They saw what I could do there in my last fight.  I want to challenge myself to fight the best and have trained hard for that.  I'm at that level now.  In basketball, teams don't choose who to play next, and I think women's boxing should be the same way, fighting the next in line.  Cecilia chose to fight Mia (St. John) in her last fight, instead of Holly, and that decision hurt our sport.  I think it was stupid and made us all look bad." Described as a good boxer-puncher, McGee believes her ability to fight a variety of different ways presents the biggest problem for her opponent, who Mary says, "Brings her experience as world champion against the best and self-confidence into the ring.  I could go on and on about her.  She's also a smart fighter who has been there, done that, and is always focused. "I take nothing away from her and look forward to being in a great fight. But, flat out, I want to win.  I will not disrespect Holly in anyway.  I have nothing but respect for all she's done in boxing.  I do believe in myself and look forward to a great fight." Also fighting on "Mayhem" is a group of New Mexico's most promising prospects. Albuquerque lightweight Matthew Baca (2-1, 2 KO's) takes on Armando Gonzales (2-2, 1 KO) in a six-round bout.  On the undercard in four rounds matches are welterweight Rocky "El Torito" Romero (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. 11-fight veteran Michael Coca Gallegos, light middleweight Cris Leyva (1-0) vs. Manuel Eastman (1-3), lightweights making their professional debuts, Gabe Gabaldon vs. Brandon Salazar, and cruiserweights making their pro debuts, Manny Rocha vs. Floyd Olguin, Jr.  All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets, ranging between $25.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase at the Route 66 box office, going online to www.rt66casino.com, or calling 505.884.7484. Go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about "Mayhem." -FP- CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, (978) 664-4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

Holly Holm retiring from boxing after May 11 fight to pursue MMA career

An emotional Holly Holm announced her retirement from boxing (photo by Will Fox)  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 16, 2013, 2013) - Today at a Fresquez Productions media luncheon, 14-time, three-division world boxing champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) shocked the combat sports world by announcing her retirement from boxing, effective after her May 11 fight with "Merciless" Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs), in order to pursue her mixed-martial-arts career (3-0-0). "Since I first started fighting, it became my passion," Holly explained her decision. "I decided a long time ago, after quitting school to fight, that I would box as long as my heart was in it. One of my biggest and controversial fights was against Christy Martin. Then, it was Mary Jo Sanders. There's always a champion. This is my own journey. Every one of my fights have helped me to believe in myself.    "When we were deciding which way to go with my future, my trainer, Mike Winkeljohn, said it best, 'You want to climb a new mountain.' This thing has created a new spark in me and I'm following my heart. I wish much success to Cecilia (Braekhus) but not fighting her does not, by any means, define my boxing career. I know there's a lot of talk about that but what does that say about all the women I've already fought?  I've never been a paper champion. I've grown so much every step of the way. I'm in this fight, on May 11,100 percent; I'm not distracted. This is obviously an emotional, spiritual and physical journey and I'm so grateful for the people who have supported me. I just want to fight where my passion is (MMA). I train in an MMA gym and always have." Holm defends her International Boxing Association and World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior welterweight titles in the 10-round main event on the "Mayhem" card, presented by Fresquez Productions, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albququerque, New Mexico. "I love Holly's team - the chemistry, the fans, the loyalty," Holm's promoter Lenny Fresquez said.  "Regarding Cecilia - Holly doesn't need anybody! She is headed toward the boxing (International) Hall of Fame and is already named for the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame. We will continue the Holly Holm saga. She's at the top of her game and we support her history-making decision."   Holly Holm hugs her longtime promoter, Lenny Fresquez  (photo by Will Fox) The 31-year-old Holm has defeated a Who's Who list of woman boxers from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Christy Martin, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice). Holm has an amazing 21-1-1 record in world championship fights, as well as a 14-1-1 mark against world champions.    "We are going forward with Holly's MMA career and there's nobody better than Lenny Fresquez to take us to that next level," Holm's manager/trainer Mike Wonkeljohn added.  "I found it hard to bounce back and forth between MMA and boxing. Holly is focused. Expect the best Holly ever. Her future is bright." Tickets for "Mayhem," ranging between $25.00 and $200.00, are on sale and available to purchase at the Route 66 box office, going online towww.rt66casino.com, or calling 505.884.7484. Go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com for more information about "Mayhem"

'Fire And Ice: Holly Holm vs. Myriam Lamare II' Dec. 7 at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (September 25, 2012) -- Fresquez Productions held a press conference today to announce its "Fire And Ice" card, headlined by a rematch between 12-time, three-division world champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) - the recognized pound-for-pound Queen of Boxing - and four-time world title-holder Myriam Lamare (20-3, 10 KOs) for the IFBA and IBA light welterweight titles on Friday night, December 7 at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. "Fire And Ice," presented by Fresquez Productions in association with Route 66 Casino Hotel, will find Holly matched against a French boxer for her third straight fight having split her last two fights against Anne Sophie Mathis (25-2). Their most recent fight this past June resulted in a 10-round decision win for Holm for the IBA, WBF and WBAN welterweight championships. Hold won a unanimous 10-round decision over Lamare (who will fight for only the second time outside of France) back on January 23, 2008 in Albuquerque, by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 in Holm's successful WIBA welterweight title defense. "Holly Holm has proven that she's the best pound-for-pound women's fighter in the world and Myriam Lamare is the No. 1 world-rated light welterweight," promoter Lenny Fresquez said. "Their first fight was very competitive and I don't expect anything less in their rematch on December 7 at the beautiful Route 66 Casino Hotel." The 30-year-old Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) has defeated a Who's Who list of woman boxers from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice). Lamare, a 37-year-old fighting out of Marseille, won a 10-round decision against Hallback in her last action (November 5, 2011) for the vacant IBF light welterweight crown. "People tell me, 'At least this fight won't be so hard,'" Holm commented. "But I think that every fight is tough," Holm commented. "When Myriam and I met last time, it was one of my toughest fights. I felt like she had me guessing her game plan from round to round. I have faith in my promoter (Lenny Fresque3z), who always believes in me, and my trainer. I've become a better person in and out of the ring. I'm as nervous as I'll ever be, but I'm excited to take on the challenge."   Supporting fights showcasing local boxers was also announced: light welterweight Matthew "Champ" Baca (1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA (6 rounds), female light welterweight Victoria "La Reina de la Guerra" Cisneros (6-13-2, 2 KOs) vs. Australian invader Diana Prazak (11-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout, bantamweight Raymond "Hollywood" Montez (5-2, 3 KOs) vs. Jazzma Hogue (2-2-1) in a six-round match, undefeated welterweights Cristian Cabral (4-0 3 KOs) vs. Grant John (2-0), plus amateur standout featherweight Jason Sanchez will be making his pro debut vs. Gene Perez (1-0), , in a four-round fight.  All fights and fighters are subject to change. For more information about "Fire And Ice" go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com or  www.rt66casino.com.