The International Boxing Federation has a new female welterweight champion, as Jessica McCaskill dethroned longtime IBF champion Cecilia Braekhus on August 15, 2020.
McCaskill, (9-2, 3KO) was the underdog coming into the DAZN televised bout. The Chicago native out-threw Braekhus in punches, landing 84-499 to Braekhus’s 85-269 in what was scored a majority decision at 97-94, 97-93 and 95-95. The title fight took place in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“This is for the fourth-grade homeless Jessica,” said McCaskill, who was fighting for an IBF title for the first time. “This is for the little girl that just didn’t care what people thought about her, and learned to love herself even though she was really weird. And for the me now that sacrifices everything to put this sport first and make a difference.”
Heading into the bout, Braekhus, (36-1, 9KO) was undefeated and regarded as female boxing’s consensus No. 1 fighter. In 2014, the Columbian born and now Norway native Braekhus won the International Boxing Federation 147 title and made nine successful defenses.
“Jessica just threw more punches than me tonight. She really, really wanted it… I’m proud and happy to pass the torch to her. I have to say, I don’t know what’s going to happen right now, but I’m incredibly proud to be a part of women’s boxing right now,” said Braekhus.
By:Raymundo Dioses