Almost eight months after win the lightweight world championship belt for the first time by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Bahian Beatriz Ferreira successfully defended her title this Saturday (14), in Monte Carlo (Principality of Monaco). The 31-year-old boxer beat Frenchwoman Licia Bourdesa, 32, after 10 rounds, in a unanimous decision by the judges. The French opponent’s record in professional boxing includes 23 wins (four by knockout), two draws and, now, four defeats (including today’s).
Bia Ferreira remains undefeated! 👊💥
The world champion shone in Monte Carlo and retained her IBF belt with a dominant victory over Frenchwoman Licia Bourdesa. 🔥
Superior in all 10 rounds, Bia won by unanimous decision. 🥊✨
📸 Gaspar Nóbrega/COB#TimeBrasil pic.twitter.com/JSS5Me9Noa
— Team Brasil (@timebrasil) December 14, 2024
“It was a very good fight. I’m still catching up with the professional, it’s one step at a time. I know I can dominate this category, I will dominate and get better and better. I will face anyone. Fighters in the category, get ready!”, warned Bia, in an interview shortly after the victory in Monte Carlo.
Two-time world champion in amateur boxing (2019 and 2023), Olympic runner-up in Tokyo 2020 and bronze in Paris 2024, Bia Ferreira opted for professional boxing this year, after the Olympics. The day before against Frenchwoman Licia Bourdesa, coach Mateus Alves, who trains BIa and also the Brazilian boxing team, summarized the athlete’s preparation for the first defense of her belt.
“It was 12 weeks, where we even brought two professional boxing athletes from Argentina to be sparring partners (opponents in training) her for a period, so the total focus on the professional”, revealed Mateus.
In April, Bia Ferreira won her first lightweight world champion belt by beating Argentine Yanina Lescano by technical knockout in the sixth round.
