By Joshua “City” Brewer

The ‘First Lady of Boxing’ and undisputed WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF world female welterweight champion, Cecilia Braekhus, 34-0, 9 KO’s, was in action as the co-feature of the KlowdTV distributed World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) finale boxing card on July 21, 2018, as she put her undefeated streak on the line against Inna Sagaydakovskaya, 7-1, 3 KO’s, in what was her 24th consecutive title fight. The event went down in Moscow, Russia.

Braekhus pitched a virtual shutout out as she used her superior form and skill to keep her overmatched opponent at bay. Braekhus won a unanimous decision and the soon to be 37 year old couldn’t have looked more impressive.

Braekhus has been a champion since 2009 when picking up the WBA and WBC titles in her 11th fight. As time has gone on, she’s essentially just been on a streak of collecting and defending belts. The majority of her fights have taken place in Norway, but she’s been able to travel and keep the same type of dominance, showing that she’s beyond homegrown. With that, it’s now time to start thinking deeper. Is Cecilia Braekhus one of the top 10 pound for pound boxers in the world regardless of gender?

In the majority of fields, regardless of gender, when dominance is the the key term associated with a person’s name, it typically extends beyond the person’s gender. Think about it, Serena Williams is one of the best tennis players in the world at the current moment even though she’s technically on the back end of her career. At her peak and when weighing Serena’s overall career and performances, Serena can seriously be considered the best tennis player of all time, period. Comparing the two from an accomplishment perspective, Braekhus is essentially on the same terms in the sport of boxing.

When we typically compare female and male boxing, or any other combat sport, the notion is the competition on the female side of things is limited. In boxing, of course, females can catapult to a very high ranking quickly due to the fact that there aren’t as many female boxing professionals in comparison to the amount of males. In all sports, there is likely a high parity when comparing genders for several reasons, many extending beyond the sport itself.

It doesn’t have to be mentioned but I will for those who are going to mention it regardless but yes, a male boxer of the same weight would likely defeat a female where they to face off for reasons beyond our control (even though retired P4P great Floyd Mayweather, JR. just recently had his shot blocked by Brittney Elena in a charity basketball game). That aside, there is something to being able to successfully dominate your opponents at the highest level for 10+ years. The thought may be that the competition isn’t there, but what about simply dominating all competition available?

This is different than say Ronda Rousey dominating in the Ultimate FIghting Championships for three to four years in a sport that’s barely over 20 years old. Boxing’s roots and history is defined, even on the female side though there have been few females who could stand out more than their male counterparts. Braekhus, though, is one of those rare female athletes.

In the sport of boxing there is always someone who knows more about the sport than your favorite debater, myself included, so I won’t even remotely try to convince you or myself that I know how to accurately assess whether Braekhus should be considered equally as dominate as her male counterparts at this juncture in her career. But, it is worth a thought. Let me know what you all think! Feel free to chime in anytime and of course, stay tuned into RSR for any form of discussion.

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