Jessica McCaskill pounds, stops overmatched Kandi Wyatt

Jessica McCaskill pounded and ultimately stopped overmatched Kandi Wyatt on the Devin Haney-Joseph Diaz Jr. card Saturday.

Jessica McCaskill never gave late-replacement opponent Kandi Wyatt a chance on the Devin Haney-Joseph Diaz Jr. card Saturday in Las Vegas.

The undisputed welterweight champion, coming off back-to-back victories over Cecilia Braekhus, came out firing at the opening bell and didn’t stop until the scheduled 10-round bout was stopped 19 seconds into Round 7.

McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) appeared to go for a first-round stoppage, unloading a barrage of hard shots that found the target. However, Wyatt (10-4, 3 KOs) was able to survive the onslaught, which made it clear that the tough Canadian wasn’t going to go away willingly.

McCaskill maintained a torrid pace and landed many punishing blows. Wyatt did her best to fight back but couldn’t keep up with the champion, The only thing she did well was remain on her feet.

Finally, in the middle rounds, referee Celestino Ruiz became concerned that Wyatt was taking too many punches. He warned her to “show me something” multiple times, including after a one-sided sixth round.

Then, after Wyatt absorbed one more flurry of shots from McCaskill in Round 7, Ruiz stepped in and stopped the fight.

McCaskill had been scheduled to fight Victoria Bustos but the Argentine was unable to get to a visa in time for her to travel to the U.S.

In another preliminary bout, heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) put Emir Ahmatovic (10-1, 7 KOs) down three times and stopped him 30 seconds into Round 3 of a scheduled 10-round bout.

Jessica McCaskill pounds, stops overmatched Kandi Wyatt

Jessica McCaskill pounded and ultimately stopped overmatched Kandi Wyatt on the Devin Haney-Joseph Diaz Jr. card Saturday.

Jessica McCaskill never gave late-replacement opponent Kandi Wyatt a chance on the Devin Haney-Joseph Diaz Jr. card Saturday in Las Vegas.

The undisputed welterweight champion, coming off back-to-back victories over Cecilia Braekhus, came out firing at the opening bell and didn’t stop until the scheduled 10-round bout was stopped 19 seconds into Round 7.

McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) appeared to go for a first-round stoppage, unloading a barrage of hard shots that found the target. However, Wyatt (10-4, 3 KOs) was able to survive the onslaught, which made it clear that the tough Canadian wasn’t going to go away willingly.

McCaskill maintained a torrid pace and landed many punishing blows. Wyatt did her best to fight back but couldn’t keep up with the champion, The only thing she did well was remain on her feet.

Finally, in the middle rounds, referee Celestino Ruiz became concerned that Wyatt was taking too many punches. He warned her to “show me something” multiple times, including after a one-sided sixth round.

Then, after Wyatt absorbed one more flurry of shots from McCaskill in Round 7, Ruiz stepped in and stopped the fight.

McCaskill had been scheduled to fight Victoria Bustos but the Argentine was unable to get to a visa in time for her to travel to the U.S.

In another preliminary bout, heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) put Emir Ahmatovic (10-1, 7 KOs) down three times and stopped him 30 seconds into Round 3 of a scheduled 10-round bout.

Jessica McCaskill outpoints Cecilia Braekhus more convincingly in rematch

Jessica McCaskill outpointed Cecilia Braekhus more convincingly in their rematch Saturday.

Jessica McCaskill solidified her position as a major player in women’s boxing. Cecilia Braekhus’ future is in doubt.

McCaskill, who defeated Braekhus by a majority decision to take Braekhus’ welterweight titles in August, won more handily on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The champion won the 10-round bout by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 this time to retain her titles. Boxing Junkie scored it 96-93 for McCaskill.

McCaskill (10-2, 3 KOs) pushed the action the entire fight, moving forward and winging punches. Her overhand right was particularly effective, particularly in the first half of the fight.

Braekhus (36-2, 9 KOs) came on strong in the second half of the fight, as she picked up her pace. However, like the first fight, it was too little, too late for the “First Lady.”

She also lost a point for holding in the seventh round.

The victory puts McCaskill in a strong position. The obvious opponent for her is undefeated junior welterweight titleholder Katie Taylor, who presumably would welcome McCaskill to the U.K. for a women’s superfight.

McCaskill said she’s open to that and other possibilities.

“If Katie Taylor is the next one, let’s go,” she said. “If Claressa [Shields] wants to come down to 147, if she can make the weight … we have a lot of options.”

Braekhus, 39, said immediately after the first setback that she would consider retirement. She was asked again about that possibility after the fight Saturday.

The once-dominating fighter doesn’t plan to go anywhere.

“I say, Jessica, meet me at 147, which is the welterweight division,” said Braekhus, referring to the 145-pound catch weight for the fight. “I definitely want a rematch at 147.”

If that doesn’t happen?

“I love boxing,” he said. “If there is a good fight out there for me, I’ll take it.”

Jessica McCaskill outpoints Cecilia Braekhus more convincingly in rematch

Jessica McCaskill outpointed Cecilia Braekhus more convincingly in their rematch Saturday.

Jessica McCaskill solidified her position as a major player in women’s boxing. Cecilia Braekhus’ future is in doubt.

McCaskill, who defeated Braekhus by a majority decision to take Braekhus’ welterweight titles in August, won more handily on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The champion won the 10-round bout by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 this time to retain her titles. Boxing Junkie scored it 96-93 for McCaskill.

McCaskill (10-2, 3 KOs) pushed the action the entire fight, moving forward and winging punches. Her overhand right was particularly effective, particularly in the first half of the fight.

Braekhus (36-2, 9 KOs) came on strong in the second half of the fight, as she picked up her pace. However, like the first fight, it was too little, too late for the “First Lady.”

She also lost a point for holding in the seventh round.

The victory puts McCaskill in a strong position. The obvious opponent for her is undefeated junior welterweight titleholder Katie Taylor, who presumably would welcome McCaskill to the U.K. for a women’s superfight.

McCaskill said she’s open to that and other possibilities.

“If Katie Taylor is the next one, let’s go,” she said. “If Claressa [Shields] wants to come down to 147, if she can make the weight … we have a lot of options.”

Braekhus, 39, said immediately after the first setback that she would consider retirement. She was asked again about that possibility after the fight Saturday.

The once-dominating fighter doesn’t plan to go anywhere.

“I say, Jessica, meet me at 147, which is the welterweight division,” said Braekhus, referring to the 145-pound catch weight for the fight. “I definitely want a rematch at 147.”

If that doesn’t happen?

“I love boxing,” he said. “If there is a good fight out there for me, I’ll take it.”

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch.

Jessica McCaskill is out to demonstrate that her title-winning victory over Cecilia Braekhus in August was no fluke. Braekhus wants to prove the opposite.

That’s the backdrop of their fight on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card tonight (Saturday) at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) will be defending the four welterweight titles she took from Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs).

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess break down the McCaskill-Braekhus rematch.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer iivEtOvb]

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch.

Jessica McCaskill is out to demonstrate that her title-winning victory over Cecilia Braekhus in August was no fluke. Braekhus wants to prove the opposite.

That’s the backdrop of their fight on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card tonight (Saturday) at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) will be defending the four welterweight titles she took from Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs).

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess break down the McCaskill-Braekhus rematch.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer iivEtOvb]

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch.

Jessica McCaskill is out to demonstrate that her title-winning victory over Cecilia Braekhus in August was no fluke. Braekhus wants to prove the opposite.

That’s the backdrop of their fight on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card tonight (Saturday) at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) will be defending the four welterweight titles she took from Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs).

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess break down the McCaskill-Braekhus rematch.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer iivEtOvb]

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch

Video: Ak, Barak break down Jessica McCaskill-Cecilia Braekhus rematch.

Jessica McCaskill is out to demonstrate that her title-winning victory over Cecilia Braekhus in August was no fluke. Braekhus wants to prove the opposite.

That’s the backdrop of their fight on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card tonight (Saturday) at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) will be defending the four welterweight titles she took from Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs).

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess break down the McCaskill-Braekhus rematch.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer iivEtOvb]

Jessica McCaskill, Cecilia Braekhus to settle matters once and for all

Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus will fight a second time on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday.

Is Jessica McCaskill the real deal? Or will Cecilia Braekhus correct a misstep?

Those are the pertinent questions going into an interesting rematch on the Juan Manuel Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas (DAZN).

And both women are certain the answer will be “yes” as it applies to them.

McCaskill stunned the boxing world when she defeated Braekhus by a majority decision in her 11th fight last August on the streets of Tulsa, Okla., taking the “First Lady’s” perfect record and her four welterweight titles in the process.

Braekhus, 39, mentioned the possibility of retirement before exercising the rematch clause in their contract. McCaskill boldly plans to usher her rival into the next phase of her life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usp3mhnfYdE

“This is the biggest retirement party DAZN has ever hosted,” she said. “There’s probably going to be cake and juice afterwards. This is going to be it. She’s the one that alluded to it after losing in Tulsa. She seemed super relieved after losing, and I am just giving her what she wants.

“Once someone shows that weakness, shows they are not in it and talks retirement, that shows that they are mentally out of the game.”

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) was an accomplished fighter before she met Braekhus – she entered the fight as a unified 140-pound champion – but that victory put her in the spotlight.

If she loses on Saturday, people will say in so many words that she caught Braekhus on a bad night in August. If she wins, if she beats the future Hall of Famer a second time, no one could question her credentials.

She’s well aware of that fact.

“Yeah, I want to seal the deal and solidify my win in August and let everybody know it wasn’t an accident and that was definitely me, unified, undisputed world champion,” she said at the final news conference Thursday.

Jessica McCaskill shows off the fruits of her labor after stunning Cecilia Braekhus in August. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom

Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) won’t go down quietly, both before and during the fight.

The typically polite Norwegian has responded to McCaskill’s provocative statements in kind. And she seems to be feeding off her rival’s words, as if she needs motivation for a fight that could end her career.

“[She] has kept me motivated throughout camp … all the trash talk,” Breakhus said. “The last time she was lucky. I think that’s where the trash talk comes from. … I had a rough training camp last time. I was stuck for six months in Big Bear (Calif.). Now I had a normal training camp.

“I have to do what I always do. I have to box, do whatever. I think I can stop her too. I’m definitely bigger and stronger than her and a much better boxer. … I’m very confident going into this fight.”

Braekhus still insists she deserved the decision in the first fight, in which she rallied in the later rounds yet lost 97-94, 97-93 and 95-95. She suggested Thursday that McCaskill, a Chicagoan, benefitted from home-country scoring and a catch weight of 145 pounds.

The former champion also acknowledged that she wasn’t at her best that night.

“What can I say? That night I didn’t perform at my top,” she said. “Saturday I will be at my best. She’s nowhere near my level. … I will win. So [retirement] is not even an option.”

McCaskill was given a chance to make a final comment and spoke from the heart: “I’m so ready to punch Cecilia in the face.”

It seems they both feel that way.

[lawrence-related id=18458,17872]

Jessica McCaskill, Cecilia Braekhus to settle matters once and for all

Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus will fight a second time on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday.

Is Jessica McCaskill the real deal? Or will Cecilia Braekhus correct a misstep?

Those are the pertinent questions going into an interesting rematch on the Juan Manuel Estrada-Roman Gonzalez card Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas (DAZN).

And both women are certain the answer will be “yes” as it applies to them.

McCaskill stunned the boxing world when she defeated Braekhus by a majority decision in her 11th fight last August on the streets of Tulsa, Okla., taking the “First Lady’s” perfect record and her four welterweight titles in the process.

Braekhus, 39, mentioned the possibility of retirement before exercising the rematch clause in their contract. McCaskill boldly plans to usher her rival into the next phase of her life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usp3mhnfYdE

“This is the biggest retirement party DAZN has ever hosted,” she said. “There’s probably going to be cake and juice afterwards. This is going to be it. She’s the one that alluded to it after losing in Tulsa. She seemed super relieved after losing, and I am just giving her what she wants.

“Once someone shows that weakness, shows they are not in it and talks retirement, that shows that they are mentally out of the game.”

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) was an accomplished fighter before she met Braekhus – she entered the fight as a unified 140-pound champion – but that victory put her in the spotlight.

If she loses on Saturday, people will say in so many words that she caught Braekhus on a bad night in August. If she wins, if she beats the future Hall of Famer a second time, no one could question her credentials.

She’s well aware of that fact.

“Yeah, I want to seal the deal and solidify my win in August and let everybody know it wasn’t an accident and that was definitely me, unified, undisputed world champion,” she said at the final news conference Thursday.

Jessica McCaskill shows off the fruits of her labor after stunning Cecilia Braekhus in August. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom

Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) won’t go down quietly, both before and during the fight.

The typically polite Norwegian has responded to McCaskill’s provocative statements in kind. And she seems to be feeding off her rival’s words, as if she needs motivation for a fight that could end her career.

“[She] has kept me motivated throughout camp … all the trash talk,” Breakhus said. “The last time she was lucky. I think that’s where the trash talk comes from. … I had a rough training camp last time. I was stuck for six months in Big Bear (Calif.). Now I had a normal training camp.

“I have to do what I always do. I have to box, do whatever. I think I can stop her too. I’m definitely bigger and stronger than her and a much better boxer. … I’m very confident going into this fight.”

Braekhus still insists she deserved the decision in the first fight, in which she rallied in the later rounds yet lost 97-94, 97-93 and 95-95. She suggested Thursday that McCaskill, a Chicagoan, benefitted from home-country scoring and a catch weight of 145 pounds.

The former champion also acknowledged that she wasn’t at her best that night.

“What can I say? That night I didn’t perform at my top,” she said. “Saturday I will be at my best. She’s nowhere near my level. … I will win. So [retirement] is not even an option.”

McCaskill was given a chance to make a final comment and spoke from the heart: “I’m so ready to punch Cecilia in the face.”

It seems they both feel that way.

[lawrence-related id=18458,17872]