Today (October 21, 2017) in Oslo, Norway, women’s boxing steps front and center as world welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus (31-0) takes on rugged veteran Mikhaela Lauren (29-4) at the Oslo Convention Center.
Braekhus is the number one pound-for-pound female fighter in the world and she is defending the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world titles at 147 pounds in this fight. Braekhus has held the WBA and WBC belts since May of 2009 and this fight will mark her 20th defense of those titles. Interestingly, this bout with Lauren is a rematch as the two ladies first met back in October of 2010 with the WBA, WBC and WBO world titles on the line and Braekhus ended that encounter with a TKO stoppage in round seven.
Lauren is a veteran professional who knows how to stir the pot. She made a lot of headlines across the world when she kissed Braekhus at the pre-fight press conference. Fans of women’s boxing hope that is not the most damage Lauren does to Braekhus. Lauren has always come into her fights in great shape but at this point in her career she is 41 years old. Many thought her failed bid at an interim WBC belt against Klara Svensson last year was her last hurrah but she has stayed busy, going 2-0 in six round bouts while looking for this opportunity.
Braekhus is fighting in her adopted home country of Norway, where she has become a cross-over star. Norway spent 30 years without any professional boxing and that long spell was broken by Braekhus in October of 2016. This fight is the fourth professional boxing card in Norway headlined by Braekhus
Oslofjord Convention Center – Stokke, Norway
Welterweight 10 rounds –
Mikaela Lauren +1180
Cecilia Braekhus -2200
