Undisputed world welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus and WBC/WBA super-lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill are promising to deliver an historic moment when they meet for the Norwegian’s 147lbs crowns on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday (August 15).
Victory will see the stately Braekhus break Joe Louis’ 72-year record of 25 successful world title defences while a win propels Chicago’s McCaskill to the women’s boxing elite and perhaps a rematch with old rival Katie Taylor.
The two women are primed for a memorable encounter. Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) is on the brink of history, but she’s not taking anything for granted.
“This is going be a hell of a fight. I think everyone who knows our careers, fights, and how hard we work – they will know this will be a great fight,” said Braekhus. “We have both been fighting since January, we both have been in camp, so we will see come Saturday that I’m in the best shape and form ever.
“Jessica’s hungry, she knows what doors can open if she beats me. I have seen her against Katie Taylor and gave her problems, so you know she’s hard working and dedicated. I feel I have better skills. I try not to focus on the record, I focus on my task in camp, but you know it would be huge. That’s a record that won’t be broken in quite a while.”
The rugged McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) is stepping up in weight and promising a war in a fight that should deliver 10 torrid rounds of action.
“I have had pretty enormous fights leading up this fight. I’m confident in my fighting and skills, and that’s all I worry about,” said McCaskill. “Cecilia has an amazing record, history that she has created, but some of that history is before this era and it can be seen differently compared to the fighters in this era. I’m here to challenge everything she has put on the table. Cecilia wants to hear that I will knock her out and not here to rub her back. She wants me to be the best fighter.
“You’re going to see the best form of fighting. A lot of brawling, a lot of things you haven’t seen out of me, a lot of fireworks.”
The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN in the US.
Main image: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.