Mikaela Lauren (26-3, 11 KOs) will defend her WBC Female Super Welterweight title against former IBF titleholder Ivana Habazin (15-2, 6 KOs) on April 23 at the Hovet in Stockholm. Lauren returns following a fifth-round TKO victory over Jennifer Retzke to put her WBC title on the line against the tough 26 year-old Croatian Habazin.
Their World Championship contest will provide chief support for IBF Intercontinental Champion Erik Skoglund’s battle with Ryno ‘The Lion’ Liebenberg – in what promises to be the biggest boxing event in Sweden since the 1960s.
‘’Ivana is a great opponent,’’ said Lauren. ‘’I’ve wanted to fight her for years, and finally I will get the chance to stand eye-to-eye with her in the ring.
‘’She is a former World Champion, and technically a very good fighter. I believe she is one of the best female fighters in the World. She has also never been stopped before, and went all ten rounds with Cecilia Brækhus. It will be a tough fight, but I want to make a statement by becoming the first fighter to stop her.
‘’I’m training super hard right now. This is my toughest training camp and I’m going to better prepared than ever before. I feel stronger than ever and I really have my eyes set on the goal.’’
Lauren is looking forward to defending her title at her hometown arena. ‘’It’s a dream come true to fight so close to home,’’ she said. ‘’I live only five minutes away from the Hovet so it couldn’t be a better occasion for me.’’
Hoping to turn this dream into a nightmare is the former IBF World Champion Ivana Habazin, who is confident she can dethrone the Swedish fighter and claim her second World title.
‘’Mikaela has very good physical predispositions,’’ she says. ‘’She trains well, but she doesn’t have the talent to match, and that’s visible in the ring.
‘’To take the WBC title off her would be a huge pleasure. My goal is to win all of the World titles, and beating Mikaela, will put me on the right path. Once I have the title, I will not be giving it away easily. I will beat whoever stands in front of me.
‘’I’m really looking forward to coming to Stockholm and putting on a good show for the Swedish fans. I hope they will support me once I am World Champion.’’
Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’This is a great match-up between two of the very best female fighters in the World. Ivana Habazin is a former World Champion, and at just 26 years of age, is still young, hungry fighter. Mikaela will need to use all her experience and know-how to get through this fight and successful defend her title.
‘’This is the second fight confirmed for our massive Nordic Fight Night show on April 23 at the Hovet. We will have more announcement to make at a press conference next week in Stockholm.’’
The Nordic Fight Night hits the Hovet in Stockholm on April 23. IBF Intercontinental Champion Erik Skoglund faces Ryno Liebenberg and WBC Female Super Welterweight Champion Mikaela Lauren takes on Ivana Habazin. Further information including ticket details and undercard announcements will be released shortly.
