Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus are ready to do it all over again on Saturday night and both are in supremely confident mood.
McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) stunned Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) in Tulsa in August to become the undisputed welterweight champion, ending a reign of 10 defences and her unbeaten record with a majority decision victory and the pair clash on the undercard to another rematch in Juan Estrada’s showdown with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the American Airlines Center, Dallas, live on DAZN.
Braekhus, 39, hinted at retirement following her loss, but activated the rematch clause in the contract, however her rival has vowed to close the curtain on her decorated career with a second win.
“This is the biggest retirement party DAZN has ever hosted – there’s probably going to be cake and juice afterwards,” said McCaskill.
“This is going to be it. She’s the one that alluded to it after losing in Tulsa, she seemed super relieved after losing and I am just giving her what she wants.
“Once someone shows that weakness, shows they are not in it and talks retirement, that shows that they are mentally out of the game.
“We’ve never been given a whole lot; we’ve taken really big risks and they have gotten us to those higher places. I don’t want to take on anyone else’s legacy, I’m building my own and making history every step of the day and that’s what I want to continue to do.
“I think she’s been struggling since the loss; I don’t know what she is going to do on fight night because we’re coming. I have a b-side mentality, we’re grinding for this, we’re not getting any handouts for this, she’s going to have to fight tooth and nail for anything.”
CasKILLA, who is undefeated since a second career loss to Katie Taylor in 2017, became a two-weight world champion after beating Braekhus, having reigned as unified Super Lightweight champion.
‘The First Lady’ is confident her defeat last time out was just a blip and insists she will put in a more polished display in Texas and reclaim her world titles from the 36-year-old.
“I know I am a better fighter than Jessica in every possible way – I’m back for me,” said Braekhus.
“I’ve done it all in boxing; first undisputed women’s champion, first Ring Magazine champion, sold out arenas, hit one million viewers, sold Pay-Per-Views – Saturday is just about taking the belts back because I am better.
“I’ve been in so many fights in my career and I knew that I did enough to win the first fight. I was a little bit naive. I didn’t consider that I was on her home turf, I won’t make that mistake again.
“Those belts are rightfully mine and I want to make a statement on Saturday, I’ll be completely different from the last fight, I’m in peak shape and I am happy.
“It’s fine to do some talking before the fight to promote it, but it’s not personal for me. She started talking about me and my team 24 hours after the last fight and I lost respect for her. You can’t be offended or take anything personally by someone you don’t respect. I feel calm and I am ready to get my belts back.”
The victor of Saturday’s clash will also add the coveted Ring Magazine belt to their collection and can set up more mega fights, with the likes of Claressa Shields, who became undisputed super welterweight titlist last Saturday.
