Boxing's 'First Lady' Cecilia Braekhus calls out UFC star
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 04/10/16 11:51am
Undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus has called out UFC star Cris 'Cyborg' Justino in the wake of her stunning win at the weekend.
Braekhus retained her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles with a second-round knockout of Anne Sophie Mathis in front of 10,000 fans at Oslo Spektrum on Saturday night.
Mathis, who brutally knocked out UFC convert Holly Holm in boxing's female fight of the year in 2011, came into the clash boasting a record of 23 knockouts from 27 wins and was aiming for revenge after losing on points to Braekhus in 2012.
However, the French challenger was left slumped over the ropes with just over one minute remaining in the second round as boxing's 'First Lady' extended her professional career to 29 straight wins.
Braekhus, 35, widely regarded as the best female pound-for-pound boxer in the world, paid thanks to trainer Johnathon Banks following her victory and threw down the gauntlet to UFC's No.1 fighter Cyborg.
"This is my third fight with Johnathon and I feel like a new boxer, he's really taken me to new levels," said the Colombian-born Norwegian on boxingscene.com
"Two things I want to do next year, fight in the United States and fight Cris Cyborg.
"She's been talking loudly about fighting me in a boxing match and I'm all for it. The United States is a place I've wanted to fight for many years and want to make that happen in 2017 as well."
Dethroned heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who is also trained by Banks, was ringside as Braekhus fought on home soil for the first time.
"He told me I hit like a heavyweight," added Braekhus. "And I'm sure he would know."
