Jessica McCaskill defeats Cecilia Braekhus for a second time!
In a very meaningful prizefight, Jessica “CasKilla” McCaskill (10-2, 3 KO’s) twice proved her dominance over “First Lady” Cecilia Braekhus (36-2, 9 KO’s). In their highly anticipated rematch, McCaskill once again snatched up a decision win over Braekhus. This time, a unanimous decision authorized CasKilla to retain the WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC World Welterweight championship titles that she usurped from Braekhus in their premiere encounter.
The win was no doubt a validating experience for the two-division champion. McCaskill was well aware that she was heavily doubted going into her initial dustup with the First Lady. Braekhus was a long standing, decorated undisputed champion. If victorious over CasKilla, Braekhus would have made history. By winning 26 consecutive title defenses, she would have broken Joe Louis’ 73 year old record of 25 straight defenses. Not only this, McCaskill was moving up to make her welterweight debut. For all of these rationales, she knew that she had an uphill battle ahead of her.
Yet, after ten hard fought rounds, McCaskill walked away with the win, belts and bragging rights. Prior to her fight with Braekhus, Jessica McCaskill was enjoying a three-fight win streak after suffering a loss to now undisputed world lightweight champion Katie Taylor. Following the Taylor setback, McCaskill moved up and captured the WBC World Super Lightweight title from Erica Anabella Farias. In her next bout, she pirated the WBA World Super Lightweight title from Anhi Sanchez. CasKilla defended the WBC belt twice, and WBA once, before jumping up again to face and defeat Braekhus.
REMATCH, START!
Looking to make a statement and set the tone, the champion McCaskill came out fast. She immediately took the fight straight to Braekhus. By quickly darting in and out of range, Caskilla was able to land a number of effective overhand rights. In the closing moments of the first, McCaskill buzzed the First Lady with a particularly thudding overhand right.
Braekhus stabilized the action a bit during the first half of the second. The former champion even managed to land an impressive uppercut. Then once again, in the closing moment of the round, Braekhus was wobbled with a crunching overhand right.
The third, fourth and fifth rounds did not slow in pace. However, there were no overly dramatic moments. Braekhus had greater success with her jab and had increasing control of the action. In the sixth, Braekhus continued to find her rhythm but was heavily warned about holding on the inside.
The First Lady enjoyed her best round of the fight during the seventh when she appeared to catch a burst of energy. Now bouncing on her toes and moving fluidly, Braekhus was able to land her jab and straight right almost at will. Meanwhile, McCaskill was beginning to slow down a bit. In a significant turn of events in the eighth round, referee Rafael Ramos deducted Braekhus a point for holding.
REPEAT, NO REVENGE
During the eighth and ninth round, McCaskill regained the pep in her step and began pressing the action with purpose. The first half of the tenth and final round was rather choppy and clinch filled. Toward the second half of the period however, the two fistic-minded females threw hard shots trying to close the show in style. Yet, there were no more overly thrilling moments. When the scorecards were read, McCaskill won by a very wide unanimous decision.
By: Bakari Simpson
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