Bohachuk-Ortiz undercard report: Cecilia Braekhus outpoints Maricela Cornejo

LAS VEGAS – Cecilia Braekhus faced a late opponent, which is always dangerous in the fight game. Despite the change of opponent, Braekhus found a way to win.

Braekhus dropped late-sub Maricela Cornejo once en route to a 10-round unanimous decision victory at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside the Mandalay Bay on Saturday. All three judges scored the bout 96-93 for Braekhus, who improved to 38-2-1, 9 knockouts.

The 42-year-old Braekhus was originally scheduled to face Ema Kozin of Slovenia, who was to defend her WBC and WBO world title belts against Braekhus, but had to back out when she was not able to secure a travel visa. The WBC mandated Braekhus and Cornejo fight for the vacant interim world title.

From the opening bell, Cornejo focused her attack to the body, throwing and landing right hands. Both stood in the pocket at times, each connecting with a glancing hook or cross to each other’s head.

During round three, Cornejo did connect with a left-right combination to the head. Towards the end of round four, Cornejo dropped to the canvas. Replays showed Cornejo might have lost her balance, but a right hand Braekhus threw to Cornejo’s head did connect, legitimizing the knockdown.

Breakhus may have been slower than Cornejo, but she was able to find openings in Cornejo’s guard by working behind a consistent jab. She walked Cornejo down, mixing her attack with jabs to the head and body. Cornejo would also vary her offense, either throwing lead hooks or right crosses to the head of Braekhus.

Early in round 10, Braekhus landed an overhand right to the head of Cornejo. Braekhus followed it up by throwing and landing a jab, followed by a straight right to Cornejo’s head. To her credit, Cornejo stood her ground, trading with Braekhus in the pocket. Both fighters had their moments and embraced after the bell sounded to end the fight.

Braekhus, who resides in Bergen, Norway, last fought on October 7, fighting to a majority decision draw against then-WBO/ WBA world titleholder Terri Harper.

The 42-year-old became the undisputed champion at 147 pounds in September 2014, defeating Ivana Habazin by unanimous decision. Braekhus became the first female fighter in any weight class to simultaneously hold all four world title belts.

Braekhus would make 10 successive defenses of the undisputed welterweight championship until she lost a close majority decision to Jessica McCaskill in August 2022. In the rematch five months later, McCaskill would win a one-sided decision over Braekhus.

Cornejo, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, falls to 19-7, 7 KOs. In her previous fight on July 20, Cornejo defeated Sara Gabriel by decision. She had won her previous three bouts since a one-sided loss to undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields on June 3 of last year.

The 37-year-old twice fought Franchon Crews Dezurn, losing both times by decision. The first fight in September 2018 was for the vacant WBC world title. In the rematch one year later, Dezurn successfully defended her unified WBC and WBO world title belts.

Middleweight prospect Eric Priest of Overland Park, Kansas defeated Luka Lozo by decision. All three judges scored the bout 100-90 for Priest, who improved to 14-0, 8 KOs.

The taller Priest outboxed Lozo throughout most of the fight. Lozo would lead with his head multiple times, drawing a verbal warning from referee Michael Ortega.

Towards the end of round seven, Priest momentarily stunned Lozo with a right to the head, but Lozo was able to fend Priest off of him or get him in a clinch.

Lozo, who resides in Split, Croatia, falls to 9-3-1, 8 KOs.

In junior welterweight action, Johnny Canas of Santa Ana, California improved to 5-0, 2 KOs, defeating Mexico’s Joseph Cruz (7-10, 3 KOs) by decision. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Canas.

Amateur standout Jordan Fuentes of Fresno, California defeated James Mulder (0-3) of Antioch, California by unanimous decision. Scores were 39-37, 39-37, and 40-36 for Fuentes, who made his pro debut.

In the opening bout of the Golden Boy Promotions card, welterweight Jennah Creason was also successful in her pro debut, defeating Kelsey Wichstrum (2-2, 1 KO) of Redding, California by split decision. One judge scored the bout 39-37 for Wickstrum, while the other two judges scored the bout 40-36 and 39-37 for Creason, who resides in Visalia, California.

 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com

Follow @FSalazarBoxing

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