Team Sauerland regrets to inform boxing fans that the March 17 show at Arena Nord in Frederikshavn has been postponed to April 21 after WBA, WBC and WBO Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus has been flattened by tonsillitis. While preparing for the hotly-anticipated showdown with French power-puncher Anne Sophie Mathis, the “First Lady” fell sick.
“We are very sorry we have to postpone the second Nordic Fight Night but unfortunately things like this happen in boxing,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “Cecilia is taking antibiotics and cannot train for eight days, which is impossible to make up for in such a crucial period of the preparation. The only positive note today is that we have already confirmed April 21 as the new date together with Viasat and Arena Nord. The card will remain the same, with Braekhus-Mathis and Nielsen-Vega the headliners. Torben Keller, Reda Zam Zam and Erik Skoglund will also be in action.”
Said Braekhus: “I am very sorry for all my fans who have already bought tickets. I would have loved to fight on March 17 but the doctors would not allow me to train for eight days. That is a huge blow for me because I was really looking forward to March 17. I know that so many fans from Norway have already bought tickets to support me in the biggest fight of my life. I am glad that Team Sauerland has already found a new date. I will return to training as soon as possible and then be in top shape on April 21.”
Speaking from her training base in Nancy, Mathis stated: “I wish Cecilia a speedy recovery. I was ready to beat her on March 17 and I am ready to beat her on April 21. It gives her five more weeks to look at the titles before I take them to France.”
Patrick Nielsen will now have to wait until April 21 to take on Gaston Vega in a clash for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Title. “I feel sorry for Cecilia and hope she gets well soon,” he said. “Personally, I don’t mind whether I win the WBA Intercontinental Title on March 17 or April 21. The more time I spend in the gym, the better I get. This is bad news for Vega. He is going down.”
All tickets purchased for March 17 remain valid for April 21 but can be returned by email (info@arenanord.dk) or by phone (+45 9845 9191).
