Renowned boxing icon Cecilia Braekhus anticipates an electrifying clash between Jessica McCaskill and Lauren Price as they vie for the WBA, IBO, and Ring Magazine world welterweight titles this weekend. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Braekhus shared her insights, expecting a gritty, action-packed bout that could potentially devolve into a fierce brawl.
Price, stepping into her seventh professional fight, aims to secure her maiden world title against former undisputed champion McCaskill. Braekhus, having faced McCaskill twice in 2020 and 2021, recognizes the American’s tenacity but believes Price’s extensive amateur background and home advantage could tip the scales in her favor.
Expressing excitement for the upcoming match, Braekhus acknowledges the similarity in the fighters’ styles and mindsets, foreseeing an intense and entertaining showdown. Despite her personal experiences with McCaskill, Braekhus leans towards Price, citing her strength, physicality, and adaptability honed through amateur boxing.
Reflecting on her own career, Braekhus, a former undisputed welterweight champion, reminisces about the challenges female boxers faced in the past, including the absence of women’s boxing in the Olympics until 2012. However, she expresses joy at the progress made, particularly with Price’s recent Olympic gold medal win in Tokyo, which she sees as a significant milestone for women’s boxing.
Although Braekhus acknowledges that she cannot compete at the welterweight level anymore, she remains open to the idea of facing Price in the future at a different weight class. Looking back on her journey, she takes pride in the role she and her contemporaries played in laying the groundwork for the thriving women’s boxing scene seen today.
In conclusion, Braekhus emphasizes the anticipation surrounding the McCaskill-Price showdown and the broader significance of women’s boxing’s evolution, expressing optimism for the sport’s future.