Jessica McCaskill Topples Cecilia Braekhus’ Welterweight Reign

Chicago’s Jessica “Caskilla” McCaskill mauled her way to a majority decision victory over undefeated welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus and delivered one of the biggest upsets in the history of women’s boxing on Saturday.

The 5 to 1 underdog came through once again.

“I’m the one that likes to upset the party,” said McCaskill.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) erupted with a high-volume offense to snap Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) undefeated streak and her attempt to break Joe Louis’s record 25 consecutive world title defenses. Only those watching DAZN saw McCaskill win the IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC welterweight titles in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

From the opening bell McCaskill bored into the taller Braekhus with her head down winging blows from different angles, much like she did when she took the super lightweight titles away from Erica Farias and Anahi Sanchez in previous years.

Braekhus started slowly and attempted to control the action by clinching whenever the Chicago fighter got close. But she couldn’t stop the free hand and McCaskill scored repeatedly.

“It’s just throwing while she’s holding and keep the feet moving and out-punching her. I threw 230 more punches than she did, that tells you that I really wanted to win,” McCaskill said.

After 36 fights in her 13 years of fighting, Braekhus did not seem overly concerned and by the third round found the range for her jabs and combinations. Many landed perfectly but McCaskill continued forward.

In previous battles Braekhus had found success using the jab and a lethal right cross. But whenever she loaded up McCaskill slipped under. And though Braekhus was able to fire off combinations, nothing seemed to slow down the super lightweight champion who moved up in weight to challenge her.

McCaskill had a good round in the sixth with clear shots from long range that snapped the head of Braekhus. But the welterweight champion showed no sign of wilting and continued to fire counters.

“I just didn’t stop. I didn’t expect her to be as rough as she was, but I just didn’t stop,” said McCaskill. “I was as rough as I needed to be.”

Braekhus seemed to regain her footing for the next several rounds as both exchanged big blows and neither refused to give ground. The Norwegian fighter was able to unload sizzling three- and four-punch combinations that were taught to her by her trainer Abel Sanchez in Big Bear.

Still, McCaskill was still standing and each round was close.

In the final round McCaskill seemed to be able to catch another gear and the momentum shifted back to her direction. It was obvious that she had plenty of energy left and she used it in the final round by landing several combinations. Braekhus countered and connected too.

After 10 back-and-forth rounds, one judge saw it 95-95 even, while two others scored it 97-94 and 97-93 for McCaskill who becomes the undisputed welterweight champion of the world.

“I was thinking it takes a lot to take it away from a champion and I was thinking and new and new,” said McCaskill.

The win by McCaskill probably upsets the plans of many who expected a showdown between Braekhus and Katie Taylor who fights Delfine Persoon in a rematch next week. Maybe it’s a harbinger of things to come.

McCaskill said she hopes Taylor wins.

“I want to be the one that beats her,” said McCaskill who now holds titles in two weight divisions.

Braekhus was gracious in defeat.

“I just want to congratulate Jessica, she really wanted it. I’m proud and happy to pass the torch to her,” said Braekhus. “I spent a lifetime collecting those belts. Just take good care of them.”

Other Bouts

Israil Madrimov (6-0, 5 KOs) defeated Eric Walker (20-3) by unanimous decision after 12 rounds and two knockdowns in a super welterweight bout. But it could have ended earlier if not for a knockdown and shove by the fighter from Uzbekistan. Though Walker could not get up after the knockdown, referee Gary Ritter ruled that the shove was illegal and gave the downed fighter time to recover. Another knockdown was scored in the 12th and final round and Madrimov won by unanimous decision to win the WBA elimination fight.

A super lightweight fight saw Shakhram Giyasov (10-0) won by knockout over Winston Campos (31-8-6) at 3:00 of the third round.

Nikita Ababiy (9-0) defeated Jarvis Williams (8-3-1) by decision in a middleweight match.

Raymond Ford (6-0) beat Eric Manriquez (7-11-1) by decision after six rounds in a featherweight bout.

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