Cecilia Braekhus Wins and Retires and More News

 

(Photo by Al Applerose)

By David A. Avila

Cecilia Braekhus “the First Lady” defeated the much-respected Ema Kozin by unanimous decision to claim the WBO and WBC super welterweight titles on Saturday in Lillestrom, Norway.

Before the fight Braekhus (39-2-1, 9 Kos), had announced it would be her farewell fight to the sport of boxing. She officially retired after the match.

Norway’s Braekhus was the catalyst for opening the doors to boxing in her adopted country. She then blazed a path in conquering the welterweight division with her blend of speed, power and grace in the boxing ring.

During her career that began in 2007, the elegant fighter based in Bergen drew crowds and interest in women’s boxing which at the time was hanging on by a thread as media coverage was almost nonexistent. She did most of her fighting in other countries because boxing was banned in Norway.

Regardless of fighting in other nations Braekhus won her fights and steadily her fandom grew and recognition followed. Among the countries that witnessed her fighting skills were Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, and finally her home country in 2016 which opened up the doors for women’s boxing in Norway.

Her accomplishments were noticed everywhere.

American Promoter Tom Loeffler recognized her talent and appeal and brought her to the USA where she became the first female fighter to headline a boxing card televised by HBO. It was a great moment for women’s boxing.

“She broke the glass ceiling of no female boxing on HBO,” said Loeffler, who was instrumental in bringing her to the USA.

That night on Cinco de Mayo 2018, Braekhus fought Kali Reis at the StubHub Center in Carson. It was her second time fighting on American shores, she had fought Nicole Woods 10 years earlier in Florida. This time it was in California’s most notorious outdoor arena famous for gladiator battles. It did not fail to excite the crowd.

What I remember from that night was watching Braekhus with that gunslinger pose, right hand cocked and ready. It had served her well throughout her career. Opposing her was Reis, a skilled and savvy veteran fighter who would later find more success acting in HBO drama True Detective. Around the seventh round Reis connected with a right and floored Braekhus. It forced the Norwegian fighter to resort to a more defensive style. But she managed to survive the next few rounds and remain welterweight world champion.

HBO must have been pleased. She was signed to appear on another HBO show later that year in December, at the same venue. Sadly, that also turned out to be HBO’s last and final boxing show after a lengthy run that began in the 1980s.

“It was an historic occasion. It happened a little different,” said Loeffler. “She was going to fight on the Canelo-Gennady Golovkin 2 fight, but when Canelo got suspended, because of the success from that first fight on HBO she got the main event.”

On Dec. 8, 2018, Braekhus defended the IBF, IBO, WBC, WBO welterweight titles against Poland’s Aleksandra Lopes. Also on the same fight card was America’s Claressa Shields versus Femke Hermans for the IBF and WBC middleweight titles. It was female boxing’s finest moment. And HBO Boxing’s last. Both Braekhus and Shields did not disappoint on the night that the lights dimmed for boxing on HBO.

Norway’s Braekhus would continue to have her contests televised and streamed on major networks including her fights with Jessica McCaskill, Marissa Portillo, Terri Harper, Maricela Cornejo and recent foray with Ema Kozin.

“Cecilia is one of the greatest ambassadors of boxing outside of the ring. The inspiration she gives female athletes is exceptional and very inspiring. She is one of the classiest people I know,” Loeffler said. “It was great to see her win in a different weight division.”

It was a career well worth noting and recognizing. The elegant Braekhus is certainly headed for the Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Lorena Balbuena (3-0) won by decision after eight rounds against Erica Alvarez (8-14) on Saturday Oct. 4. The welterweight fight was held in Buenos Aires.

 

Armenia

On Saturday Oct. 11, welters Ani Hovsepyan (0-0-1) and Ksenija Medic (4-37-3) meet six rounds at Yerevan.

 

Australia

Linn Sandstrom (11-4-3) beat Kanokwan Wirunpat (4-4) after 10 rounds on Friday Oct. 3. The super fly fight took place in Thomastown.

 

China

On Tuesday Oct. 7, super lights Haini Mulataialili (5-0) and Suphannika Tanchoem (5-1-1) meet eight rounds in Baotou. Also, feathers Manli Lei (1-4-1) and Carysney Garcia (4-1-1) meet eight.

 

Czech Republic

Lucie Pudilova (1-0) knocked out Natalie Pavlatova (0-6) in the first round on Sunday Oct. 5. The welterweight fight was held in Prague.

 

Dominican Republic

Chanthal Urena (2-0) knocked out Yoleidy Jimenez (0-1) in the first round on Tues. Sept. 30. The super bantam fight was held in Santo Domingo.

 

France

Tania d’Almeida (2-0) beat Evelyn Reyes (2-4-1) after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The light flyweight fight was held in Paris.

On Saturday Oct. 11, super welters Marine Beauchamp (7-2-1) and Andrea Gomiero (7-0) meet 10 rounds for EBU title at Vernoux.

 

Germany

Sara Cirkovic (1-0) defeated Leiryn Flores (24-7-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The bantam fight was held in Garching.

Phannarai Netisri (18-0) beat Niorkis Carreno (25-6) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Oct. 3. The super bantam fight was held in St. Pauli.

Annabell Honert (1-0) knocked out Betina Krumholz (1-11) in one round on Sunday Sept. 28. The super welter match was held in Landau.

 

Guatemala

On Saturday Oct. 11, super feathers Maria Ordonez (0-1) and Odalis Recinos (0-1) meet four rounds at Mixco. Also, super flies Genesis Rodas (3-1) and Maylin Ezcano (0-0) meet four; and Minimumweights Adelina Lorenzo (0-0) and Yuleisi Lopez (0-1) meet four.

 

Ireland

On Friday Oct. 10, welters Sarah Murphy (0-0) and Kerry Orton (0-16) meet four rounds at Dublin. Also, Christina Desmond (0-0) and Joanna Fraszczak (1-0) meet four.

 

Italy

Giordana Sorrentino (4-0) defeated Sara Orszagi (2-10) after six on Friday Oct. 3. The flyweight match was held in Milan.

 

Japan

Mao Kamada (4-0-3) beat Eun Young Lee (2-4) after six rounds on Sunday Oct. 5. The atomweight fight took place in Iyo.

Akane Fujiwara (9-5-1) defeated Yanyu Li (4-5-2) by decision after eight rounds on Wednesday Oct. 1. The featherweight fight took place in Tokyo.

Ran Higuchi (4-4-2) beat Hanako Adams (3-5-3) by decision after six rounds on Monday Sept. 29. The minimumweight fight was held in Tokyo. Also, bantam Nadoka Furukawa (5-1-1) beat Chiyomi Wada (3-2) in six; and atomweight Mont Blanc Miki (8-8-1) beat Kaho Munetoshi (4-3) in six.

 

Kenya

On Friday Oct. 10, super feathers Praxides Anyango (8-0) and Flora Machela (9-14-1) meet 10 rounds for regional title at Nairobi.

 

Mexico

On Saturday Oct. 11, feathers Kenia Sanchez (0-0) and Luz Barajas (0-0) meet four rounds at Merida.

 

New Zealand

On Friday Oct. 10, bantams Sarah Linton (2-6) and Nicila Costello (5-6-1) meet eight rounds at Masterton.

On Saturday Oct. 11, super feathers Saskia Elliott (1-0) and Natalie Mackey (0-1) meet four rounds at Taupo. Also, light heavies Stacey Loye (0-1) and Bianca Koper (0-0) meet four.

 

Norway

Cecilia Braekhus (39-2-1) defeated Ema Kozin (24-2-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The WBO and WBC welterweight world title fight was held in Lillestrom. Also, super bantam Anne Line Hogstad (1-0) beat Nino Janelidze (0-4) after four.

 

Slovakia

On Saturday Oct. 11, lightweights Eva Hruskova (0-0) and Andrea Hamko (0-1) meet four rounds at Poprad.

 

Spain

Chaima Bounouar (5-0) won by decision over Natalia Mata (4-4-1) after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The flyweight match was held in Badia del Valles. Also, feather Karla Merida (7-3-1) beat Teresa Almenger (9-3-3) in six.

Ioana Fecioru (8-3) beat Clara Lopez (2-2) after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The super light Spanish title fight was held in Canals.

On Saturday Oct. 11, super flies Minerva Gutierrez (6-5) and Maite Botella (2-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Elche.

On Saturday Oct. 11, lightweights Maria Horche (1-0) and Diana Catargiu (0-0) meet four rounds at Illescas.

 

Thailand

Aigel Khodova (5-0) knocked out Butsaya Bunprasob (0-1) in three rounds on Saturday Oct. 4. The super flyweight fight was held in Phuket.

 

Tunisia

On Saturday Oct. 11, welters Mariem Homrani (1-0) and Immacolata Mancusi (0-15-1) meet six rounds at Tunis.

 

USA

Roxana Verduzco (6-0) defeated Perla Lomeli (7-6) after eight rounds on Friday Oct. 3. The super bantamweight fight was held in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Mikiah Kreps (11-0) won by split decision over Juliana Basualdo (13-7) after eight rounds on Friday Oct. 3. The super bantam fight was held in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

On Thurs. Oct. 9, super welters Mary McGee (28-4) and Natasha Spence (9-8-2) meet eight rounds at Washington D.C.

On Friday Oct. 10, feathers Rashida Ellis (0-0) and Maria Salinas (27-12-6) meet six rounds at Commerce, Calif. DAZN will stream Bash Boxing card. Also, super lights Sasha Saldana (0-0) and Archana Sharma (3-4) meet four.

On Saturday Oct. 11, bantams Ivy Enriquez (4-0) and Sarah Click (2-11-1) meet four rounds at El Paso, Texas.

On Sunday Oct. 12, super flies Evelyn Romo (2-0) and Shawna Ormsby (0-4-1) meet six rounds at Hollywood, Florida.