Which Fight Will Now Main Event Matchroom Boxing’s Return To America?
Matchroom Boxing has managed to secure a new main event for its return to the United States. The promotion also added a big fight to the card.
Recently, it was announced that the WBC Flyweight Title fight between champion Julio Cesar Martinez and McWilliams Arroyo on August 15 is off. Martinez had to back out of the bout due to a sore throat and a fever. As a result, the new main event will be the planned co-main event; an undisputed Welterweight Championship fight between champion Cecilia Braekhus and Jessica McCaskill.
“Braekhus-McCaskill is a fight fit to top any bill and while it’s sad to lose the ferocious Mexican champion Julio Cesar Martinez from the show, Cecilia and Jessica more than deserve their spot as the main event – especially at a period of time when women’s boxing is on fire and in the spotlight, with the winner in Tulsa looking to take on the winner of the crunch rematch between Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon, taking place a week after we return in America with a huge night of action in a stunning setting on the streets of Tulsa,” Eddie Hearn ended up stating.
The bout between Braekhus (36-0) and McCaskill (8-2) was supposed to take place on April 17 before the coronavirus postponed the fight card. Braekhus is looking for her 26th-straight title defense of the undisputed welterweight titles. In her eleventh professional fight, “The First Lady” beat Vinni Skovgaard via unanimous decision for the WBA and WBC Welterweight Titles. Her last bout was a unanimous decision win over Victoria Bustos back in November.
McCaskill, the WBA, and WBC Super-Lightweight Champion, has won three in a row since losing to Katie Taylor back in 2017.
Replacing the Martinez-Arroyo bout will be Israil Madrimov v. Eric Walker. Madrimov (5-0) started his professional career in 2018. The Uzbekistani fighter won three fights in 2019 and his last bout in February against Charlie Navarro. All five of his wins have come via knockout.
“I’m very excited to fight on August 15 against such a formidable opponent in Eric Walker,” said Madrimov. “Many thanks to all of my fans worldwide for their support, I can’t wait to put on another great show for you.”
Walker (20-2) is on a three-fight win streak. The “Baby Faced Assasin” won his last bout in December against Damian Ezequiel Bonelli.
The August 15 event is set to take place in the streets of Tulsa, with no crowds allowed by the ring.