(OCT 29) With only six
professional fights under her belt, against limited opposition,
25-year-old Justine Lallemand was considered the underdog on
Saturday night, October 28, when she challenged for the World
Boxing Federation (WBF) Womens World Light Flyweight title
against French compatriot and reigning champion Anne Sophie Da
Costa.
But, on a show promoted by CSNA
Boxe at the Salle Polyvalente de Mon Idee in Auvillers Les
Forges, Lallemand appeared unfazed by any pressure and boxed a
near perfect fight against the much more experienced and
accomplished titlist.
With fast combinations to both head and body, and some perfectly
timed uppercuts, Lallemand at times made it an uneven fight.
However, Da Costa (35) had no intentions of giving up her world
title without a hard fight, and gave it everything she had
despite the onslaught coming her way.
Da Costa had some good moments in rounds five and seven, but in
the rest of the fight she was struggling badly and at times
appeared hurt and unsteady on her legs. Lallemand was just far
superior, and made and extraordinary impression as she
gatecrashed the world scene.
As the bell sounded to end the tenth and final round, there was
no doubt that the crowd had witnessed a changing of the guard.
Judges Bertrand Chagnoux and Mohamed Hireche agreed on 98-92
scores in favour of Lallemand, while Judge Christophe Hembert
had it slightly closer at 97-93.
The new World Champion extended her unblemished professional
record to 7-0 (1), and there will unquestionably be many more
outstanding performances to come from Justine Lallemand in the
future. Da Costa, also a former WBF World Strawweight Champion,
drops to 24-3 (11).