The Rosengård fighter has gone exactly two years without competing due to the pandemic and canceled matches for various reasons. Tonight she was back as the winner at “home” in Jönköping.
The undefeated Swede extended his spotless result to 15 straight wins after winning on points against 40-year-old Swiss Olivia Belkacem whose new match result is now 10-3.
– I can not really understand it. I was completely rusty and can do much better, but now I’m back again. Now we drive, says a victorious Berghult when SVT Sport meets her in the ring afterwards.
The first match in two years
The last time Berghult was up in the ring was on 27 November 2019 when she won the WBC’s interim belt in super welterweight (69.9 kilos). This time, she won the full WBC World Champion belt that American star Claressa Shields left vacant after changing weight class.
The match then? Olivia Belkacem kept a high tempo with a high stroke volume, but it was Berghult who got the cleanest hits.
The boxes collapsed in the second round and both began to bleed, but nothing seemed to affect them significantly afterwards.
The tough Swiss pushed forward and invited to dance into the last, but Berghult continued to score his opponent. Among other things, with a perfect left hook in the closing seconds of round eight.
“She’s probably swollen”
The match expired, ten rounds, and the referee numbers were written to 96-94, 97-93, 97-93.
– She was strong. I did not think she would move forward the way she did so we had to change tactics, but then I started to find my feet and then it felt much better. I got the hits in easier. We scaled together and I do not know what I look like right now, but “battle scars” are proof that they have fought, says Berghult.
– She’s probably also a little swollen, so we’re done.
Want to go to a new match in the beginning of 2022
How do you think about the future now?
– First I want some Christmas break, I have trained for eight rock hard months. A little rest now and then we drive on. I hope for a new match at the beginning of next year.
How are you going to celebrate tonight?
– I usually go home and go to bed, but I think the others want to celebrate so I can celebrate a little while anyway.
–
