Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo didn’t last long as Matchroom Boxing USA’s first post-lock down main event.
The fight, scheduled for Aug. 15 on the streets of Tulsa, Okla., was postponed because Martinez, a highly regarded flyweight titleholder, pulled out after becoming ill. His ailment is not related to COVID-19, Matchroom said.
The new main event will feature undisputed welterweight titleholder Cecilia Braekhus vs. Jessica McCaskill, who holds two junior welterweight belts.
The card will be streamed on DAZN.
Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) won her titles in March 2009, meaning she has been champion for 11 years. McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) won her first belt in October 2018, when she outpointed Erica Anabella Farias.
“Braekhus-McCaskill is a fight fit to top any bill, and while it’s sad to lose [Martinez] from the show, Cecilia and Jessica more than deserve their spot as the main event – especially at a time when women’s boxing is on fire and in the spotlight,” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said in a press release.
Hearn said the Braekhus-McCaskill winner would be looking to take on the winner of the Aug. 22 Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon lightweight title rematch. McCaskill lost a decision to Taylor in 2017.
A fight was added to replace Martinez-Arroyo on the Aug. 15 card, which will take place in a ring set up at E. 5th St. and S. Boston Ave. in downtown Tulsa. Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5 KOs) will face Eric Walker (20-2, 9 KOs) in a junior middleweight bout.