By: Vishare Mooney
“This marks the first time a women’s bout has been televised live on HBO.” So claimed a press release announcing the matchup between “boxing’s only undisputed world champion Cecilia Braekhus” and “former WBC Female World Middleweight Champion Kali Reis.” The two women will fight for Braekhus’ World Female Welterweight title on May 5th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Even more telling, the fight will be the co-feature of the Gennady Golovkin – Vanes Martirosyan middleweight title bout.
Braekhus, who fights out of Norway, has held her title for nine years and boasts a record of 32-0. “I’m honored,” said Braekhus, “to fight on the same card as the best male fighter in the world, Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin.” Braekus also spoke well of the Southern California location of her HBO debut. “I’ve heard so many magnificent things about fighting in Southern California and the passion boxing fans have for great fights,” she said. “I’ve been training in Los Angeles for the last six weeks with Lucia Rikjer, and this has been a tremendous camp.” Rhode Island native Reis, 13-61, looks to keep Braekhus from making a 22nd successful title defense.
“I am so proud to help present the first female bout to be televised live on HBO,” promoter Tom Lorffler claimed. “Undefeated World Female Welterweight Champion Cecllia Braekhus, boxing’s only undisputed world champion, will have her hands full against former WBC World Female Middleweight champion Kali Reis.” The bout will be scheduled for ten rounds.
The non-televised portion of the May 5th card will also showcase 21-0 super lightweight Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin, as he faces well known 31-12 vet Breidis Prescott. “Best known for his first-round knockout victory of Amir Khan and a decision victory over former world champion Richar Abril,” the press release stated, “Prescott has been in tough for much of his professional career, going the distance against former two-division world champion Terence Crawford and top-rated contenders Roberto Garcia, Paul McCloskey and Fredrick Lawson. Boasting a victory by knockout ratio of 71%, Prescott will be looking to make the most of his Cinco De Mayo rumble with Martin.”
The 25 year old Martin, whose part of Abel Sanchez’ acclaimed stable, “returns to the ring after making a star turn headlining his first card, on March 27, at The Avalon in Hollywood, Calif. Martin blasted Luis Eduardo Florez in the fourth round of their 10-round bout.” The Golovkin-Martirosyan televised card is co-promoted by Loeffler and Don King and will be aired live at 11 pm eastern standard time on HBO.
