St. John vs. Cecilia Braekhus in Denmark
Mia St. John will soon be traveling to Denmark as she faces the unbeaten Cecilia Braekhus on April 13 at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn.
I recently caught up with the brunette beauty known as “The Knockout.” Mia had a banner year in 2012 when she beat her longtime nemesis Christy Martin last August for the vacant WBC Female Light Middleweight title. After this victory, St. John fought Tiffany Junot in November in which the upstart Junot pulled off an upset.
Now St. John (47-12-2, 18 KOs) will take on the current champ Braekhus (21-0, 5 KOs) in their championship bout for Cecilia’s WBC, WBA and WBO championship belts promoted by Sauerland Event. Mia brings experience to this matchup against her younger foe, tabbed as Norway’s “First Lady” of boxing. The two will tangle in a welterweight clash for a trio of belts.
But being an underdog is nothing new for Mia.
She continues to strive in the sport and has found success not only as a champion prizefighter but also as an author, model, spokeswoman for mental healthl issues, a mother of two, the founder of her own nonprofit organization (El Saber Es Poder) and much, much more.
And I have to say, she does it all with her own brand of sass and class.
I’ve known the fighter for a few years now and have witnessed how fans (both male and female) flock to her. She is a proud Latina warrior and a role model for many. Men, of course, admire the Playboy model for her good looks while women and young girls look up to her for what she’s accomplished in this male-dominated sport and beyond.
During our video interview below, the SoCal slugger shared her thoughts about her upcoming bout, revealed how she really feels about her critics, and what the new year will bring. She also shares an inspiring message for the underdogs of the world.
While women’s boxing never gets the respect that male fighters receive, Mia has carved out her own niche in pugilism.
And over the years, her peers see her hard work and professionalism pay off.
Ringside photographer Mary Ann Lurie Owen (author of “Extraordinary Women of the Ring”) comments: “One thing about Mia St. John is that she never ducks anyone. She markets herself and she is beautiful. She is on top of her game–Good luck, Champ!”
Next up will be the April 13 showdown versus the tough young Cecilia Braekhus.
Once the again the “underdog,” Mia will be ready.
“I am going to be fighting the world’s best. I am excited. I’ve been fighting for 16 years now and it’s really hard to get excited for fights now,” St. John tells me. “But I am so excited for this fight! After all these years, it’s great to get big fights and I am honored to fight Cecilia.”
So it will be “youth versus experience.”
St. John says she has worked long and hard in the gym and beyond. And she always comes to fight.
And while last year was one incredible year for the Southern California athlete, this year already looks to be another KO for St. John. Mia and her comadre Claudia Ollis (businesswoman/promoter/entrepreneur) continue to work to “change the face of women’s boxing.” The prizefighter traveled the world as a sports commentator last year and also got to share the experience with her daughter, Paris St. John. Team St. John will next add the stamp of Denmark in their passports as Braekhus feud nears. And later in the U.S., Mia will also be attending the 2013 International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Induction Ceremony this summer.
St. John has always embraced her huge fan support around the globe but the pugilist also recognizes that you can’t please everyone.
Mia–and women’s boxing–often receives criticism from those who think ladies belong in the “kitchen” and out of the boxing ring.
“I don’t really care what the haters say,” St. John says during our interview. “LET THEM HATE. It’s part of the game!”
Hear what else the champ has to say in my new video with Mia St. John.
Photos by Michele Chong
Im glad Mia is still exciting about fighting. Im glad she has a huge fan base.
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