On the brink of breaking Joe Louis’ 72-year-old record of 25 successful world title defences, Cecilia Brækhus says trainer Abel Sanchez has transformed her into a more dangerous fighter.
Undisputed welterweight champion Brækhus (36-0, 9 KOs) defends her crowns against the no nonsense Jessica McCaskill on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 15, live on DAZN in the US.
Norway’s Brækhus was originally scheduled to face unified 140lbs champion McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) in April before that fight was postponed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Yet she remained in training camp in the Big Bear mountains in California and believes that extended spell with trainer Sanchez will reap dividends next week.
“I’ve been in Big Bear since January because I wanted to be back in the ring as soon as possible and wanted everyone to know that I’d be ready at the first opportunity,” said Brækhus. “When I got the chance to be one of the first to fight for Matchroom on a big show I was very happy.
“I’m in the best shape ever, I feel amazing. I feel strong, I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been in and I’ve worked great with Abel. We’ve made small adjustments; we’re not trying to make me a new fighter but just take the things that I’m already good at and adding things to it to make me a more complete and dangerous fighter.
“Working with Abel has been so much fun, I’m learning and developing every day and I’m having a great time,” she continued. “I’m in an amazing place in Big Bear, training in the heart of nature, with the mountains and the fresh air, it’s a home away from home as it’s what I grew up with in Norway.
“I missed belonging to one gym, it’s been a good thing for me, not traveling around from country to country and gym to gym, it takes a toll on you. Being in Big Bear gives you more strength and power, and the high altitude has had a good effect on me.
“Abel is so professional and has worked with so many champions, I don’t have to tell him anything or explain anything, we just get down to work. He is a great guy, a motivator and that’s something that doesn’t get mentioned very often. The training in Big Bear is brutal but Abel leads by example and that’s really important.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.