(MAY 6) Multi-world welterweight
champion, Cecilia "First Lady" Braekhus of Bergen, Norway
entered the ring Saturday night, holding five of boxing's most
prestigious titles that include the WBC, IBF, IBO, WBA, and WBO.
Across the ring was Rhode Island's own, Kali "KO Mequinonoag"
Reis, a former WBC women's champion, using her underdog role to
fuel a potential career altering victory.
Before a punch was thrown on
Saturday at the StubHub Center by either women, the few inches
between Braekhus and Reis were historic. The bout will be
remembered as an action-packed fight from start to end, but more
importantly, the first ever women's bout televised on HBO, and
it certainly did not disappoint.
In the opening round of the
ten-round championship bout, Braekhus tried to imposed her will,
using a lively jab, in combination with a sharp and strong right
hand to score on Reis. The early rounds were close, but it
seemed that Braekhus was controlling the pace. However, in the
sixth-round, Reis garnered her "Native Warrior" strength, and
took matters into her own hands.
After landing a sharp right hook,
and straight right, Braekhus began to feel the power of Reis,
which only seemed to grow stronger as the fight continued.
Finally, in the seventh-round, Reis' power proved to overwhelm
Braekhus, knocking down the undefeated champion for the first
time in her career; but Reis was not done yet.
Later in the ninth-round, yet
another right hand found a home on Braekhus' temple, unsteadying
the legs of the champion, only surviving the onslaught due to
the end of the round bell.
The fantastic fight went to the
judges after ten-rounds, in which Braekhus outpointed Reis, by
scores of 97-93 and 96-94 (2X) -- to the disappointment of the
fans in the StubHub Center, who let their disagreement be heard
as roaring boo's filled the stadium as the decision was
announced.
Kali Reis had these comments after a great performance, "We were
setting her up to be open for the right hand all night long,"
Reis said. "I felt like I had it, especially with the knockdown.
I do want a rematch. We made history tonight and that was a
great thing."
While speaking to HBO's Max
Kellerman after her unanimous decision win, Braekhus stated,
"[Reis] is a top, top fighter and she gave me a tough fight."
Over roaring boo's from the crowd who disagreed with judges
scores, Cecilia said, "Yes, a rematch, a rematch for sure. Let's
do a rematch" and the boo's turned into cheers.
Saturday night proved, in front of a nationally televised
audience, women mean business in the sport of boxing and Kali
Reis and Cecilia Braekhus were just the right fighters to prove
it. A rematch is wanted by both fighters and HBO fans, and is
expected.
The historic bout was promoted by 360 Promotions and Joe
DeGuardia's Star Boxing.