Norwegian boxer Cecilia “The First Lady” Brækhus fended off Jessica “The Hammer” Balogun to retain her WBC, WBO & WBA Female World Welterweight titles with a unanimous points victory on Saturday night. Germany’s Balogun had the home crowd advantage at the stadium in Schwerin, but was no match for Brækhus.
The judges from Sweden, Finland and Italy scored the fight 98-92, 99-91 and 100-90 in a clear victory for the Norwegian, reported state broadcaster NRK. The 32-year-old from Bergen said Balogun started well, but came back weaker after every round.
“She came out like a train in the first round, but I quickly took it out of her,” said Brækhus. “She is physically strong, and is tough, but I know her.” Brækhus said she had landed some solid hits on Balogun. “That she withstood them was well done. She is the only boxer who would stand through the hits.”
Brækhus showed no signs of being thrown by the troubled negotiations she’d been through with promoter Sauerland this spring. Her new agreement with Sauerland was only settled 1o days ahead of the fight. “I just want to box, everything around that is noise,” Brækhus told broadcaster Viasat after the match.
She will now take a break before her next fights coming up in autumn.
newsinenglish.no staff
