Video | Jessica McCaskill Outworks Cecilia Braekhus To Become Unified Champ

Jessica McCaskill (9-2, 3 KO) is now the unified women’s welterweight champion after overturning the odds and handing Cecilia Braekhus (36-1, 9 KO) her first career loss. The pair met tonight (Saturday, Aug. 15) in the main event of Matchroom Boxing’s first US event since the outbreak of Covid-19, and put on a riveting fight, perfectly showcasing women’s boxing.

The 10-round bout took place on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Right from the outset, McCaskill came out swinging, refusing to take a backward step, immediately making life difficult for the reigning champ. The 33-year-old McCaskill never let up from start to finish throwing a total of 499 punches to Braekhus’ 269. However, the Norwegian was the more accurate of the two, punching with 31% accuracy compared to her rivals 16% percent. The total number of punches landed was 84 to McCaskill and 85 Braekhus, indicating how tough this fight was to score.

The contest ebbed and flowed with both fighters having moments on top. However, it wasn’t until the latter stages of the contest that Braekhus began finding her groove. The 38-year-old demonstrated why she has been at the pinnacle of women’s boxing for so long in the final stretch, but by that stage, according to judges, it was a case of too little too late.

The final scorecards read 97-94, 97-93 and 95-95, giving McCaskill a historic majority decision victory.

“My whole team worked really hard for this, shout out to my coach for being so rough in the corner telling me he needed a knockout telling me he needed me to do more, telling me I needed to throw more punches,” McCaskill said following the bout.

” I just wanted it, and I was willing to look ugly to get it I was willing to eat punches. You guys have seen me eat everybody’s punches that I have ever fought. My sparring partners are rougher than some of these opponents are, and I have to show that when I’m in the ring. I have to show how resilient I am.”

The stage is now set for McCaskill to take on the winner of this week’s Katie Taylor – Delfine Persoon matchup, in a fight which would undoubtedly generate a lot of attention.

As for the now-former champion, Braekhus said that she would take some time to decide what her next course of action will be. If this was the last fight we see her in, then she leaves behind an impressive legacy.