Undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill is in a bullish mood ahead of her intriguing rematch with Cecilia Braekus at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on March 13.
The Chicago menace says she can’t wait to repeat last year’s upset victory and end the career of the Norwegian boxing legend before turning her attentions to a summer showdown with former foe and undisputed lightweight champ Katie Taylor.
McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) has already proved many disbelievers wrong with a hard-fought, majority decision win over former pound-for-pound No.1 Braekus in Tulsa last August. She talks a great fight but usually backs that up with her fists.
The two-weight champion has illustrated she is an emerging force in the sport and believes her rapid progression as a fighter is now enough to beat Ireland’s Taylor who outpointed her down at 135lbs in December 2017.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that enticing rematch is in the pipeline: “We are doing the Jessica McCaskill vs Cecilia Braekhus rematch in early March and I think you will see Katie fight the winner in the summer,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
McCaskill firmly believes she is the woman to take Taylor’s unbeaten record, should she repeat her win over Braekhus in March. Back in December 2017, McCaskill feels she was learning her trade, but still sailed close to a shock KO victory over the talented Taylor.
“We gave Katie a great fight and almost knocked her out with a left hook,” McCaskill told Sky Sports.
“It wasn’t that we weren’t prepared. We did everything that we were supposed to do. I wouldn’t go back and change anything – if I was on the wrong path, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I exposed a lot of her downfalls as a boxer. Then everybody wanted to fight her.
“She hasn’t changed very much at all,” added McCaskill. “Three years ago, I was very green, after coming into the sport with only 25 amateur fights. In Chicago, I was fast-tracked. I have [now] incorporated a nutritionist, a strength and conditioning coach and different sparring over the years. We are more experienced.
“Since then, I have only fought world champions. Before it was only smaller fighters. Now I fight completely at the top level.”