World Super-Lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill believes she is a “game changer” for women’s boxing ahead of her rematch with Erica Farias on Saturday in Chicago.
‘CasKILLA’ (7-2 3 KOs) defends her WBC and WBA world super-lightweight titles in a second clash with Farias (26-3 10 KOs) at Wintrust Arena, Chicago live on Sky in the UK and DAZN in the US.
The pair face off again almost a year to the date of their previous bout, which McCaskill claimed a unanimous points victory at the same venue.
And the 35-year-old believes she has created a huge mark already in the sport.
“I feel right now I am the game-changer,” said McCaskill.
“There are people that have been in the game that I am dethroning, I’m on a fast-track; I’ve won two World titles and fought for three in just nine fights, I feel like I am the wildcard and people are watching to see what is going to happen next.
“We’re proud of the goals we’ve hit and we have more goals to meet and so does everyone in the gym, and we want to spread that to kids in schools, get them to continue to fight no matter what is going on.”
McCaskill took Katie Taylor the distance at York Hall in 2017, before losing on points in her first title tilt and only professional defeat.
However, the American champion who has moved up in weight since the loss says she has set an example to other boxers looking to follow a similar career path.
“It’s a powerful stance to have in female boxing because I’ve always thought of it as a very scientific algorithm to men’s boxing, you cannot do the same as the men as it’s not the same career,” McCaskill continued.
“(Trainer) Rick (Ramos) has always put me in position to make powerplays over and over again for different situations. I feel that people are learning from how we are moving through things and following our example.
“Rick has always been very transparent with me. He told me from the start that this would be a very fast-paced career, we had a handful of amateur fights together and then he said: ‘it’s time to turn pro’.
“There has been a very distinct difference between my first fight with Rick and my last couple of fights with him.
“I was knocking people out in 30 seconds and fighting at different weights, which didn’t matter as everything that he had instilled into my boxing was there.
“Being able to make that transition from amateur to pro with the same person is unheard of and to be as successful as we’ve been shows we’re doing the right thing.”
McCaskill’s rematch with Farias is part of a huge night of action in Chicago, topped by Oleksandr Usyk’s Heavyweight debut against Chazz Witherspoon.
Dimitry Bivol leads a stacked undercard, defending his WBA ‘Super’ World Light-Heavyweight strap against Lenin Castillo, whilst Anthony Sims Jr returns to action against Morgan Fitch.
Tickets are on sale now for Usyk vs. Witherspoon starting at just $40 plus booking fees at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070057139FF02C5D.
