Braekhus headlines HBO finale

By WBCBoxing.com

Cecilia Braekhus will be put a “lifetime of blood, sweat and tears” on the line when she defends her undisputed world welterweight title in the main event of HBO’s boxing swansong on December 8.

Braekhus, widely regarded as the best female pound-for-pound fighter to grace the ring, faces Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

The undefeated champion retained all four belts in the first female fight shown by HBO in May, climbing off the canvas in the seventh round to defeat former WBC middleweight champion Kali Reis.

Braekhus, 37, will now headline the American TV giant’s final boxing card, ending 45 years of coverage that started in 1973 when George Foreman demolitioned undisputed heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in two rounds in Jamaica.

“I know Aleksandra very well and this will be a very tough challenge for me,” said the Norwegian, who has won all 34 fights, nine by knockout, since turning professional 11 years ago.

“Thanks very much to HBO for putting me on the network again. I promise to deliver another big fight, another thriller. My last fight was very exciting and this one will be as well. I don’t do boring fights.

“I’m defending all the belts. It has taken a lifetime to get all those belts together. They mean a lot to me. They represent a lot of blood, sweat and tears. 

“We are working very hard every day in the gym, so hopefully, I can retire undefeated also. That is my dream; that is my goal.”

Massachusetts-based Pole Magdziak-Lopes will be aiming to win a world crown at the third attempt after WBC world super welterweight title defeats to Mikaela Lauren in 2014 and Ewa Piatkowska two years later.

“It’s been my dream to fight Cecilia and I can’t wait to fight her,” said Magdziak-Lopes, (18-4-1, KO 1). ”She is the best women’s fighter in the world and has been for many years, but on December 8, I will be up to the challenge and come out victorious with her titles.”

Former pound-for-pound king and four-division world champion Roman Gonzalez opens the HBO “Boxing After Dark” card against former WBC light flyweight champion Pedro Guevara.

“Chocolatito” stopped Moises Fuentes in September on his return to the ring following a year out after suffering back-to-back defeats to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017.

“I know Pedro Guevara very well,” Gonzalez said.  “He’s a very tough fighter and I will have to be at my very best to continue my pursuit of a fifth world title.

“It’s an honor to be on the same card as Cecilia Braekhus. I was very happy with the knockout victory of my last fight and look forward to fighting in Los Angeles again in front of my fans.”