Angel McKenzie Steps In To Face Jennifer Retzke, After Mikaela Laurén Pulls Out Of Historic 5th July Title Clash At York Hall.
Former Big Brother star Angel McKenzie is
set to replace Sweden’s Mikaela Laurén, who unexpectedly pulled out of
the planned July 5th World title fight against Germany’s
Jennifer Retzke, which takes place on the Dave Murphy, in association
with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ extravaganza at York
Hall.
McKenzie, who is also an artist and
singer, shot to fame, in 2009, after being selected as one of the
housemates for Big Brother series 10. Whilst not making it to the finale
of the series, McKenzie was a popular contestant, a large part due to
her quirky sense of humour.
Big Brother wasn’t the only TV show
McKenzie appeared on, a year or so later she also made it through to
final eight of Noel Edmund’s Red or Black show.
In July 2009, shortly after being evicted
from the Big Brother house, McKenzie made history, by taking part in
the first Female boxing match to be broadcast live on network TV in the
UK.
With many of her former Big Brother
housemates ringside, McKenzie put on a solid performance to beat
seriously tough Welsh lass Lana Cooper by a 39-37 points margin.
In the past four years since, McKenzie
has fought a succession of the sports biggest stars, German GBU/WIBA
Welterweight World Champion Jessica Balogun, twice, France’s former #1
Pound for Pound ranked, multi division WBA/WBF/WBC/WIBF/WIBA World
Champion Anne Sophie Mathis, Italian WBF/WIBA/WIBF/GBU Lightweight World
Champion Lucia Morelli, Belgium IBF/WIBF Lightweight World Champion
Delfine Persoon, German WIBF Light Welterweight World Champion Marie
Riederer as well as twice fought the girl she is replacing on July 5th, WBA/WBC/WBO title challenger Mikaela Laurén.
Speaking from the studio, where she has
been recording her latest album, a clearly pleased McKenzie spoke
briefly on the ‘golden opportunity’ she has been presented.
“I’m just one of a handful of female
boxers that represent the UK on the world stage. I’ve fought in Italy,
France, Denmark, Ireland and so on, but it’s been over three years since
I last fought in England.
To get to fight again in my home city really is special for me, to be fighting for a World title makes it even more special.
Jennifer (Retzke) is one of the top
boxers in the World, she’s ranked number one with the IBF, so it will be
a hard fight, but I’m used to hard fights.
I’ve fought World Champions before, in
fact I fought most of the top girls in my career, but usually in their
own country. For once I will have the advantage of fighting in front of
my home fans.
York Hall is a very special place to box and when the home fans get behind you they really lift you to another level.
I think this is the first time a Women’s
World Title fight has headlined an event in the UK, knowing I am one of
those making history on July 5th is going to make me even more
determined to fight at my very best.
It would be a dream come true to win a World title.”
Jennifer Rezke versus Angel McKenzie, for
Light Middleweight World Championship honors, headlines the Dave
Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence
Day’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on
Friday 5th July 2013.
