Boxing made a triumphant return to Norway on Saturday with hometown fighter and consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter in the world, Cecilia Braekhus (29-0, 8 KOs), making quick work of Ann-Sophie Mathis (27-4, 23 KOs).
Braekhus (known as “The First Lady”) remained the undefeated WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and IBO female welterweight champion, by stopping the over-the-hill Mathis in just two rounds in front of a partisan sold-out crowd at The Spectrum in Oslo, Norway.
The “Homecoming” promotion was the result of years of efforts on Braekhus’ part to lift the government ban that her native Norway had on professional boxing over the last 35 years.
Over the course of her nine-year professional career, The First Lady has fought in Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Belgium.
The victory gives Braekus her 15th successful defense of the WBO female welterweight title and marks the second time Braekus has defeated Mathis.
Four years ago, Braekhus and Mathis battled for ten epic rounds in Frederikshavn, Denmark, with Braekhus winning a hard-fought decision by scores of 97-93 on all three judges scorecards.
