Cecilia Braekhus: ‘Natasha Jonas is amazing, inside and outside the ring, but I believe 100 per cent that I’d beat her!’ | Boxing News

Cecilia Braekhus is inspired by Natasha Jonas, but still wants to fight her.

Norway’s Braekhus has been a trailblazer in the sport. He is undefeated in 36 fights and over 13 years. Between 2014 and 2020 he reigned as the undisputed welterweight champion, winning all four major world titles and defending them 10 times.

He first became a unified champion in 2009 and is a veteran of 28 world title fights, losing only two.

He may be 41 but, after gaining weight, he is targeting 38-year-old Jonas as a route back to the top.

“Let’s cut to the chase. I want a title fight,” Braekhus said Sky Sports.

“Both Natasha and Terri Harper are at the top of my list. They both went up to 154lbs, which is my natural weight division now.

“Natasha Jonas, since she turned pro I’ve been a big fan of hers. I’d love to fight for her belt.

“I love him, he’s an amazing boxer, he’s a great representative of this sport inside the ring and outside the ring, but I’m 100 percent sure he’ll beat him.”

Jonas had the best year of his career in 2022 when, in three fights, the Liverpudlian unified the WBC, IBF and WBO welterweight world titles.

Although Braekhus considers Jonas a future rival, he has used him as an example.

“Natasha, mother, athlete, I respect her so much that if I’m tired or don’t want to go to the gym, I’m like what you complain about. this woman is literally a mother, she has a human being to take care of and she is a champion of unity,” Braekhus said.

“So I love Natasha, I respect her and I think it’s going to be an amazing fight.”

Braekhus has had a long and difficult route through the sport. Now she wants to be part of the boom in women’s boxing that is taking place in England.

“She’s at the forefront now in women’s boxing, which is incredible,” he said. “With such an amazing role model, I don’t think anyone can do this better than they are now.”

He is eager to travel to England to challenge Jonas. “Against him in England, I don’t see a problem either,” Braekhus said.

“Not far from Norway. I know many Norwegians will come from Norway to watch this fight. It will be a great pleasure for Norwegians to be able to fight this fight as well.”

The former champion should acknowledge the progress of women’s boxing. “When I started out in boxing I couldn’t even see anywhere out there what we are doing right now. It was hard to fathom when I was starting out,” he said.

“Remember that we are not allowed to participate in the Olympics, the Olympics are only for men. It is a different world.

“It’s tough. One of the hardest things to be told every day is that you’re less than worthy of being a woman,” she continued.

“It’s something I’m definitely not good at. No matter how many people tell me I’m not worthy, I’m not going to listen.

“I’m very happy that the next generation doesn’t have to be in that position.”

“Where we are now, for those of us who started when I started, you just have to wake up,” Braekhus said. “Realize how far we have come.

“We have a lot more to work on, but we’re definitely on our way.”