On Saturday, Brazilian fighter Beatriz Ferreira defeated Yanina Lescano from Argentina. This victory secured the vacant IBF lightweight title for Ferreira and marked her fifth consecutive win as a professional boxer. The significance of this match extends beyond just another win; it cements Ferreira's part one of her ambition to secure both a professional world title and an Olympic gold medal.
During the bout, Ferreira exhibited formidable aggression which put her Argentine opponent on the defensive. However, the match reached a critical turn when an accidental clash of heads caused a severe cut above Lescano's eye. This incident led to the fight being stopped in the sixth round, resulting in a technical decision based on judges' scorecards. Although this wasn't how Ferreira hoped to win, she dominated the fight up until that point.
After securing the win, Beatriz Ferreira exclaimed, "It’s incredible. It’s extraordinary. I’m so happy. Mission accomplished." Despite the unexpected turn of events during the fight, she quickly shifted focus towards future contests stating that it's now time to focus on upcoming fights.
Ferreira has been competing professionally for just 18 months yet has already claimed significant titles and accolades including both 2019 and 2023 world championships. Her silver medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics against Kellie Harrington from Ireland also highlights her prowess in amateur boxing conversions into professional rings.
Looking ahead, Beatriz is set to return to Brazil and join their Olympic team with sights firmly set on Paris Olympics 2024. Her objectives are clear: conquer Olympic gold and achieve her historic double within four months later this year. Motivated by her love for making history, she promised potential shockers saying, "I promise you that I am going to take the world by surprise." She added confidently about winning gold in Paris: "I guarantee you I’ll get the gold medal this time."
