(SEPT 4) Last night at the Karlstad CCC, in Karlstad, Sweden, Frida Wallberg, 129, of Gothenburg,
Sweden, successfully defended her WBC Super Featherweight World
title against Canadian Olivia Gerula, 130, who was determined to
take back her belt in this 10-round bout rematch that ended in a
unanimous decision for Wallberg.
[VIDEO
OF FIRST FIGHT]
In their first fight that took
place on November 27, 2010, in Stockholm, Sweden, the two fought
where Gerula was defending her WBC belt, in an eight round
fight. As reported on Gerula's bio on WBAN, we reported the
following: " There were several controversial aspects to this
fight. First, the WBC sanctioned an eight-round fight for its
world title in deference to Swedish rules which for many years
had banned professional boxing altogether and only recently
allowed women's competition with limits to the lengths of the
fights. (The last 8-round fight in Sweden had been in 1967).
Second, the "historic" fight's unanimous (77-75,78-75,78-75)
decision for the home-standing Frida was controversial. Gerula,
who had negotiated a 10-round rematch outside Sweden into her
fight contract told WBAN "I believe I have just played a part in
a much bigger picture and now the WBC will again make
progressive history with the 10 round rematch clause that was
put into contract. And it is my only conciliation that when the
rematch takes place this decision will be put to rights!"
At their weigh-in at for rematch that took place last night
Gerula did get her opportunity
last night, but failed to fulfill her personal promise to
herself. Gerula told WBAN after the rematch:
"The fight did not go as planned but not for lack of trying. I
lost. The fight was still a mess but this time she deserved to
win. I can walk away from this loss disappointed but not
devastated and the only thing hurt is my pride. So from here
it's a couple weeks off, time with the family and then back to
the gym. Thank you everyone for all the support."
Both of these boxers should get props for following through with
the rematch---congratulations to Wallberg with her win---and
congratulations to Gerula for continuing to show boxing fans
that she is a true warrior in this sport---fighting anywhere,
anytime.