Today in Oslo, WBC, WBA & WBO Female World Welterweight Champion Cecilia Brækhus (25-0, 7 KOs) came face-to-face with IBF Champion Ivana Habazin (13-1, 5 KOs) for the first time ahead of their historic unification fight at TAP1 in Copenhagen on September 13.
At a press conference in the Norwegian capital, the pound-for-pound queen appeared in a confident mood as she discussed the upcoming fight. ‘’For me, this is an incredibly special fight,’’ said Brækhus. ‘’To be the first woman in history to hold all four belts would be the crowning achievement of my career. This has given me all the motivation I need. I can see no other outcome than me taking home all four belts on Saturday.’’
Standing in Brækhus’ way is the young champion Habazin. The 24 year-old from Croatia has plans to spoil The First Lady’s perfect record and in doing so write her own name into the history books. ‘’I have not come here to lose,’’ said Habazin. ‘’I do not consider Cecilia to be the favourite. She may be one of the best female boxers around but she is not unbeatable. I will prove that on Saturday night.’’
Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’Four belts, two world champions and only one winner. This could well be the biggest fight in female boxing history. Never before has any female boxer unified a division by holding all four major titles. On Saturday night history will be made!’’
Norwegian boxing fans can also look forward to the domestic showdown between super middleweight rivals Tim-Robin Lihaug (7-1, 5 KOs) and Simen Smaadal (8-0, 3 KOs). A fight promoter Nisse Sauerland described as ‘’all or nothing’’ for the young boxers. ‘’There is a lot at stake in this fight,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’The winner will have a bright future ahead of him and the loser will have to go back to the drawing board. It’s all or nothing.’’
‘’My training has gone great,’’ said Lihaug, who has teamed up with renowned Norwegian coach Ulf Johansen in preparation for the fight. ‘’I am in the best shape of my career and I can’t wait to get in the ring and show everyone what I can do.’’
Said Smaadal: ‘’In Copenhagen I will prove that I am the best super middleweight in Norway. This is my time to shine. It is going to be a massive night for Norwegian boxing and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.’’
Norwegian light heavyweight prospect Alexander Hagen (4-0, 1 KO) is also in action on Saturday night. The 25 year-old from Flekkefjord will face Ukrainian Yevgeni Makhteienko (2-2, 1 KO).
Hagen’s fight is available to watch on Viasat 4 before the Nordic Fight Night broadcast goes live and exclusive to Viasat/ Viaplay pay-per-view. Viasat television customers can order the fights by calling 815 22 055, non-Viasat customers and those wishing to watch online must register and order via Viaplay http://www.viaplay.no/nordicfightnight
For more information please visit – http://www.viasat.no/nfn
Tickets are available via http://www.billetnet.dk
