Cecilia Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs) has withdrawn from her scheduled WBA super-welterweight title challenge against Terri Harper (13-1-1, 6KOs) due to take place as part of the undercard to the all-undisputed encounter between Katie Taylor & Chantelle Cameron. The event will occur at the 3 Arena, Dublin, and marks Katie Taylor’s maiden professional fight in her home country of the Republic of Ireland.
Matchroom Boxing has confirmed that the pull-out is due to illness and that Harper will now feature on Matchroom’s next promotion on the 27th of May. Harper will now appear on Leigh Wood’s WBA world featherweight title rematch against Mauricio Lara as Wood aims to reclaim the world crown he lost in February.
Cecilia has released a video regarding her decision to pull out of the contest and is “heartbroken” at having to do so while feeling “devasted” for Harper also.
@MatchroomBoxing @TerriHarper96 @DAZNBoxing @TomLoeffler1 @WBABoxing pic.twitter.com/6wOLRcCvpg
— Cecilia Brækhus (@1LadyCecilia) May 20, 2023
Braekhus is often referred at the “first lady of boxing” and was optimistic and anticipated her encounter with Harper when she spoke to ProBox TV in the lead-up to today’s event.
“I’m just incredibly grateful to share the ring with someone like Terri Harper, I’m really excited! She’s very well-rounded, got great conditioning and is a good boxer. I think it is going to be a great fight if I don’t say so myself. After a long career, this is one of the highlights. I did have my homecoming in Norway, I fought on HBO and I have had a great career. But to fight on this show with so many good fighters is incredible. To do this at the end of my career is so cool. I’m a big fan of Katie and Chantelle too. It is going to be an amazing fight.”
Harper, like Braekhus, was respectful of her opponent and was grateful for the opportunity to face one of the true trailblazers of female boxing when speaking to Probox TV earlier this week.
“She’s (Braekhus) been there and done everything, she’s worn the T-shirt, she’s been undisputed, she’s been in with some great champions and yeah, someone I have a lot of respect for, look up to and I’m just grateful that she’s given me the opportunity to share the ring with her.”
