Cecilia Braekhus and “Bang Bang” Hawton Return to L.A.

Cecilia Braekhus Defends Titles in L.A. Hawton Fights Too

 

By David A. Avila

LOS ANGELES-A pair of female prize fights will headline a fight card in the Los Angeles area led by undisputed welterweight world champion Cecilia Braekhus and former light flyweight titlist Louisa “Bang, Bang” Hawton next month.

Leave it to Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions to bring female boxing to the forefront.

“Cecilia is one of the most charismatic champions in the world,” said Loeffler.

The undefeated Braekhus (34-0, 9 KOs) and her team are busy selecting an opponent to face on Saturday Dec. 8, at the StubHub Center in Carson. Those mentioned as possible foes are Jessica McCaskill, Amanda Serrano, Layla McCarter, and several others. Negotiations are ongoing.

“There are so many wonderful options,” said Braekhus, 37, while at a media lunch conference at the Palm Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Loeffler said when it was announced Braekhus would be fighting on Dec. 8 on HBO, requests to fight her came from all over the world.

“There was a tremendous response from all the fighters,” said Loeffler. “Cecilia has accomplished so many things in her career especially in the sport of boxing.”

Braekhus also added that this fight will take place in the welterweight division, but future fights could dwell in the 140 pound super lightweight class or in the 154-pound super welterweight class. But not for this fight.

Lightweight world champion Katie Taylor’s name has been mentioned as a possibility for a future fight possibly at a catch weight.

The last time Braekhus fought in Southern California it was on Cinco de Mayo at the StubHub Center. In that fight she met former middleweight world champion Kali Reis who willingly dropped down in weight to face the welterweight queen. That fight drew more than 900,000 viewers on HBO.

“I promise to deliver another big fight and another thriller,” said Braekhus who defeated Reis by decision after getting knocked down for the first time in her career. “The last fight was a good one. It was a tough fight. The next one will be nothing less.”

Once again HBO will televise this fight. Sadly, it will be the final boxing telecast for HBO which had been broadcasting prize fights for 40 years. Braekhus was the first female prizefighter to be televised by the network and she will be the third and final fight. Two weeks ago the Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent world title fight was also televised by HBO. But now that network has given up on boxing.

Bang Bang

Also on the card, but not televised, will be the return of “Bang Bang” Hawton. In her last contest she competed for the interim WBC atomweight title but lost to Mexico’s Brenda Flores by split decision.

“A lot of people said that fight stole the show,” said Loeffler.

Hawton and Flores battered each other at a speedy clip that out-performed every fight on that card that took place last September at the Inglewood Forum. Though Hawton lost the decision, she gained fans with her gritty and bloody performance.

It was hoped that Flores would fight Hawton on this card but the Mexican fighter is scheduled to fight this Saturday in Tijuana, her hometown.

An opponent is being sought for Hawton who is anxious to return to the boxing ring.

“I plan to steal the show again,” said Hawton who lives in Australia but will train in L.A.

The co-main event features the return of Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez fighting Mexico’s Pedro Guevara in a super flyweight contest.

Tickets go on sale next week.

 

(Photo by David A. Avila)