From the beginning, Laurén would have faced the Romanian Ioana Fecioru, who was boxing for an EC title last year.
But once in place in Copenhagen, less than two days before the match, she got the news.
– Apparently she had developed a very high fever, been in hospital and banned from boxing. Then we had to find an opponent at the last minute. And the replacement was injured in the first round so there were quite a few setbacks in the comeback. But now I have played 39 professional matches and am looking forward to number 40. Then I hope everything goes brilliantly, says Laurén.
The substitute has only one victory
The replacement was Georgian Mariami Nutsubidze, 25, who had a modest five professional matches on her record – and only one victory. On paper, the weakest resistance Laurén has faced in twelve years.
– It was her or no one at all. It is very difficult to get a last-minute substitute who will fly in from another country, so I am just incredibly grateful that I got an opponent and could go in and feel the nerves and the atmosphere again, says Laurén.
Substitute Nutsubidze had to throw in the towel after just one round due to a shoulder injury.
“The injury was not fake”
In his victory interview immediately after the match, Laurén accused the opponent of faking the injury.
– Apparently she had actually injured her shoulder, which still feels good that it wasn’t fake. But right then and there I was very excited and so eager to step in and be boxed many rounds to feel that I am back. It’s pretty unlikely to injure your shoulder in round one so it felt like she didn’t want to be there.
Since the match was so short, the Swede would prefer to go two more matches and then challenge for a WC title in her quest to become the oldest world champion of all time on the women’s side.
– Now we have to sit down and see what opportunities and offers there are. Ideally, I want to box at home in Sweden. I hope the next match will be in the spring, she says.
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Mikaela Laurén was back in the ring again for the first time in over four years. Pictures from Pluto TV. Photo: Pluto TV