The Nordic Fight Night in Frederikshavn has been postponed by two weeks due to an eye injury sustained by WBA, WBC & WBO Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (23-0, 7 KOs). The pound-for-pound number one will now face Myriam Lamare (22-3, 10 KOs) at the Arena Nord on February 1.
“When it comes down to a fighter´s health, we cannot take any risks,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland. “The doctors have ordered Cecilia to sit out practice for ten days, which made it impossible for her to be in top shape on January 18. At the highest level, losing two weeks in the middle of your preparation is a nightmare. Against a world-class opponent like Lamare, Cecilia needs to be at 100 percent, not 90, 80 or 70. We want to apologise to the fans who have already bought tickets and hope that they will be able to join us on the new date. All fights will remain the same.”
Said Braekhus: “I am very sorry about the postponement but there is nothing I could do about it. I was gutted when I picked up the injury in sparring. I´ve been forced to postpone fights before, like against Anne Sophie Mathis due to my tonsillitis. Believe me, it is the worst feeling in the world. You feel like you let down your fans. So I was very disappointed at first but I am relieved that the postponement is for only two weeks and that my team has been able to set the new date quickly. I hope that all my fans will still come over to Frederikshavn and support me. Lamare is a very tough opponent, I couldn´t fight her without a proper preparation. My fitness and my hard training have always given me an edge over my opponents. I´ll now take a little break and then return to practice to get in shape for Lamare.”
EU Light Heavyweight Champion Erik Skoglund (18-0, 9 KOs) will also be in action making his first title defence Adasat Rodriguez (9-2-1, 6 KOs). The 22 year-old has no intention of dropping the belt he won against Lolenga Mock (31-14-1) in Kolding this October.
‘’Honestly I do not believe that Rodriguez has the boxing skills to beat me,’’ said Skoglund. ‘’He hits hard and comes forward so in that respect he is a dangerous. I will need to be careful as one punch can change a fight but I have fought guys like him before and I know exactly what I need to do to beat him.
‘’2013 was a great year for me. To win the EU title was the perfect ending. Obviously I will need to take it one fight at a time and avoid any injuries but I would like to have 4-5 fights in 2014 and hopefully get a shot at the EBU title later in the year.’’
Promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’Erik has had a fantastic year. He showed real class and maturity in the way he beat Mock to claim the EU title. I will be expecting big things from him in 2014. However he must first focus on Rodriguez. He is a tough opponent and will be coming to Frederikshavn to win. I am expecting an exciting fight but believe that if Erik boxes like we know he can this will be the first of many successful title defences.‘’
In the Danish main event, rising featherweight Dennis Ceylan (9-0, 5 KOs) will be looking to start the year with a bang following an impressive points victory over Edgar Torres in Albertslund. As always the Nordic Fight Night will include a full undercard featuring the very best of Danish, Swedish and Norwegian boxing. Tickets are available at arenanord.dk. Tickets for the January 18 date can be refunded until January 10.
