Friday night in Bergen, Norway, “The First Lady of Boxing”, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (31-0-0, 8 KO’s), was victorious once again defending all five major welterweight world titles (WBC/WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO), over current WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion ERICA “La Pantera” FARIAS, (24-2-0, 10 KO’s), of Buenos Aires, in front of a massive crowd at the country’s major concert venue, Bergenhus Fortress – Koengen.
(Photo credit: Jarle H. Moe)
Scores were 99-91, 99-91 and 98-92.
Universally recognized as the #1 Pound-for-Pound Women’s Fighter and the only undisputed champion in boxing, Braekhus took advantage of her height and controlled the action with her range finding jab.
Farias upped her aggression as the fight headed to the middle rounds but Braekhus continued to win rounds with excellent counter punching. Braekhus closed strongly through the championship rounds much to the roaring delight of the crowd.
CECILIA BRAEKHUS
“This is very emotional for me to fight here; Bergen is my home.”
“This is the highlight of my career.”
“We’ve worked very hard to make this happen, but all the people of Bergen make it worth it. This is unreal. I don’t know how you can top this.
On what happens next:
“Maybe I should take all the people of Bergen to Las Vegas to see me fight in the United States.”
“She was a very tough opponent as I mentioned earlier in the week, I have a lot respect for Farias.”
ERICA FARIAS
“I am left with a feeling of uncertainty and doubt. I really want a rematch. A fight where I can do my absolute best. I feel I deserve that.”
“Cecilia is one of my idols. I would love to ask what she thought of the match.”
BRAEKHUS vs. FARIAS was the third professional boxing event to take place in Norway following the decades long ban on professional boxing.
Cecilia Braekhus and Erica Farias weigh-in results
The official weigh in was held for “The Battle of Bergen” as “The First Lady of Boxing”, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (30-0-0, 8 KO’s), holder of all five major welterweight world titles (WBC/WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO), and current WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion ERICA “La Pantera” FARIAS, (24-1-0, 10 KO’s), of Buenos Aires, Argentina both were within the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
Breakhus weighed in at 146.6 pounds while Farias tipped the scale at 144 pounds.
BRAEKHUS vs. FARIAS is the third professional boxing event to take place in Norway following the decades long ban on professional boxing. A crowd of over 15,000 is expected at Bergenhus Fortress – Koengen, a concert venue typically used for the biggest musical acts touring Europe.
The only undisputed world champion in boxing, Braekhus is also universally recognized as #1 Women’s Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World.
The Final Press Conference for the “The Battle of Bergen” was held as “The First Lady of Boxing”, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (30-0-0, 8 KO’s), defends her Welterweight World Titles (WBC/WBA, WBO/IBF/IBO) against current WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion ERICA ‘La Pantera” FARIAS, (24-1-0, 10 KO’s) this Friday night, June 9 at the Bergenhus Fortress – Koengen in Bergen, Norway.
CECILIA BRAEKHUS
“This is the real homecoming. That is also the reason why I chose the absolutely toughest opponent out there. This is the only fight this event deserves. Erica is the toughest opponent of my career, but I’m ready for Friday night to defend my titles.”
“I’m so excited to be fighting in Bergen, my home since I was a very small child, it means a great deal to me to fight here on Friday night.”
ERICA FARIAS
“This is the biggest fight of my career, I have so much respect for Cecilia and all that she has accomplished in women’s boxing. She has truly been an inspiration to me.”
“I’ve trained very hard in Argentina for this fight and plan on being victorious on Friday night.”
BRAEKHUS vs. FARIAS is the third professional boxing event to take place in Norway following the decades long ban on professional boxing. Braekhus is the only undisputed world champion in boxing A crowd of over 15,000 is expected at the concert venue typically used for the biggest musical acts touring Europe.
Braekhus prepares for Farias
Finishing up her training in the beautiful resort town of Torrevieja, Spain, ‘The First Lady of Boxing’, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (30-0-0, 6 KO’s), is preparing for the toughest fight of her 10-year professional career against WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion ERICA ‘La Pantera’ FARIAS, (24-1-0, 10 KO’s) on Friday, June 9 at the Bergenhus Fortress – Koengen in Bergen, Norway.
A native of Bergen from childhood, Braekhus, universally recognized as the #1 Women’s Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World, will defend her WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO Welterweight World Titles in front of a massive crowd expected to reach over 15,000 fight fans.
Following the lifting of the decades long ban in Norway of professional boxing which Braekhus was instrumental in removing, she has defended her titles twice in her homeland.
On October 1, 2016, Braekhus knocked out Anne Sophie Mathis in the second round in front of a sold out crowd at The Spectrum in Oslo, Norway. Most recently she won a 10-round unanimous decision over Klara Svensson at the same venue on February 24, 2017.
Speaking from here training camp in Spain, Braekhus stated, “This training camp has been terrific with Johnathon (Banks), this is our fourth fight together and I’m continuing to learn a great deal from him.”
“In my last three fights I’ve become much more of an aggressive fighter and he’s truly brought that out in me, more of an American and Detroit style of fighting.”
“Erica Farias is the toughest opponent of my career. She’s moving up from the junior welterweight division where she’s the WBC champion and one of the best fighters in the division.”
“I know Farias is coming for all my belts and I’m up to the challenge. This is my true homecoming as I’ve lived in Bergen since the age of two and we’re expecting a huge crowd of close to 15,000 fans. No way I won’t be ready.”
Photos/Team Braekhus
This afternoon media workouts were held just two days ahead of “The Battle of Bergen” as “The First Lady of Boxing”, CECILIA BRAEKHUS, (30-0-0, 8 KO’s), holder of all five major welterweight world titles (WBC/WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO), and current WBC Junior Welterweight World Champion ERICA “La Pantera” FARIAS, (24-1-0, 10 KO’s), of Buenos Aires, Argentina met again with the international media covering the event this Friday night, June 9 at the Bergenhus Fortress – Koengen in Bergen, Norway.
The only undisputed world champion in boxing, Braekhus is also universally recognized as the #1 Women’s Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World.
Additionally, the officials for the fight were also announced; the referee will be Frank-Michael Maass of Germany. The three judges will be Maurizio Rinaudo of Italy, Jean-Pierre Legland of France and John Madfis of the United States.
BRAEKHUS vs. FARIAS is the third professional boxing event to take place in Norway following the decades long ban on professional boxing. A crowd of over 15,000 is expected at the concert venue typically used for the biggest musical acts touring Europe.
