CECILIA BRAEKHUS has just turned 38 years old but is still looking for key fights in the twilight of her career. First though she must defend her undisputed welterweight crown in Monaco on Saturday (November 30).
Former Katie Taylor opponent Victoria Noelia Bustos challenges the Norwegian for the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF welterweight belts.
Both made weight. Braekhus was 146.6lbs, Bustos was 144.6lbs.
“I’m here to beat Bustos on Saturday and I want to make a statement,” Braekhus declared.
Her advisor Tom Loeffler declared, “This is a huge opportunity but a tough fight. Under promoter Eddie Hearn’s guidance, if Cecilia is successful on Saturday, there will be some of the biggest fights in the history of women’s boxing next year.”
Read our exclusive interview with Braekhus HERE.
On the same bill at the Casino de Monte Carlo tomorrow, Alexander Besputin and Radzhab Butaev meet in an good all-Russian welterweight bout. Besputin scaled 146.5.lbs, Butaev 146.3lbs.
Joe Cordina moves down to super-featherweight, weighing 129.4lbs, to fight the man who beat Jordan Gill, Mario Tinoco. He was 129.6lbs.
“He’s been in with some good fighters – Devin Haney being one of them, and he stopped Jordan Gill and I know he’s been in with a lot of other good fighters. But I’m a different fighter altogether. I’m not saying I’m miles above everyone he’s fought but I know I’m different class,” Cordina said. “I’ve been to an Olympic Games, I’ve fought all around the world, I’ve boxed in a lot of tournaments around the world with some of the fighters on this table. I’m looking to go out and put on a show and get the job done.
“As a professional I’ve boxed in many great venues, the Principality Stadium twice, Wembley Stadium, Bramall Lane, the O2 Arena. Like I said I’ve boxed all around the world in amateur tournaments where there might have only been 10 or 20 people there. I’ve boxed in little town halls that hardly hold any fans. Whether there’s an atmosphere here in the casino or not – it’s nothing new to me.”
Heavyweights will also be in action, Chinese Olympic silver medallist Zhang Zhilei (266.8lbs) fights Andriy Rudenko (244.7lbs) and Hughie Fury (234.1lbs) will box Pavel Sour (240lbs).
Read about why Hughie Fury expects to turn the corner HERE.
