Female boxing’s pound-for-pound number one Cecilia Brækhus has hit back at claims from Ronda Rousey’s coach that the UFC Champion could win a world title in her first boxing match.
In an exclusive interview with mixedmartialarts.com, Rousey’s coach Edmond Tarverdyan said: ”There is no question that Ronda could win a world title in her first boxing match. I’ve seen her in the gym getting the better of world champions in sparring. Even in 14oz gloves she puts a lot of people on the floor.”
Tarverdyan’s bold statements have led to a response from Brækhus, who describes his comments as ‘’disrespectful’’ and admits she would welcome a challenge from the American mixed martial artist.
‘’Ronda is an exceptional athlete, she is at the very top of her discipline and for that she has my full respect,’’ said the Undisputed Female World Welterweight Champion. ‘’But for her coach to say she could win a world title in her first boxing match is a little disrespectful.
‘’I’m not sure if this is something she truly believes or whether it is just a throw away comment from her coach. But if it is something she believes and she is up to the challenge, I would happily defend my titles against her. I would even travel to Las Vegas to fight her on her home turf.’’
Brækhus is currently enjoying a short break following her historic victory over Ivana Habazin on September 13 in Copenhagen. The Norwegian boxing star outpointed Habazin to become the first female boxer to unify a division by holding all four major titles simultaneously.
