Never before has “The Brave” ring moniker perfectly applied to.
The comeback trail continues outside the ring for the reigning IBF featherweight titlist, who is recovering from emergency spinal surgery. Germany’s Meinke, 20-3 (4 KOs), suffered a herniated disc that severely impacted her mobility and at the risk of permanent damage to her right leg.
At the time of her surgery, Meinke was given a bleak 20 per cent chance for full recovery. Literally a fighter to the end, she insists that not only will she one day return to full strength but also to the ring.
“Over the past ten weeks, I have been recovering from a herniated disc,” Meinke told BoxingScene. “It was definitely a shock especially not knowing whether I will be able to move the same as before.
“But this has not stopped me from dedicating myself to my rehabilitation.”
Meinke last fought on May 10, when she earned a repeat win over Daniela Bermudez in Rostock, Germany. The unanimous decision victory came eight months after Meinke edged Bermudez via majority decision to win the vacant IBF 126lbs belt last September 21 in Hamburg.
Both bouts were contested over 12, three-minute rounds as opposed to the 10, two-minute round limit normally afforded women’s title fights.
Meinke was committed to compete at the men’s designated limit as far back as her previously scheduled challenge of unified 126lbs champ Amanda Serrano last March 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight was canceled at the last minute when Serrano was medically pulled due to cornea damage from a hair chemical which dripped into her eye.
Serrano remains the division’s lineal, WBA and WBO champ but agreed to vacate her IBF belt, which allowed Meinke to compete for the title as the designated mandatory challenger.
The first win over Bermudez realized a career-long dream of Meinke’s to claim a major title, which came in her second attempt. Meinke previously fell just short to then-unbeaten IBF claimant Sarah Mahfoud in their April 2022 title fight.
Shortly after the second fight with Bermudez, Meinke noticed visible pain but was uncertain of the cause. She was then advised by medical professionals that emergency surgery was necessary, for fear of permanent paralysis.
“I know many people were wondering why I suddenly disappeared from the public eye,” Meinke informed her fans in a July 21 update via official statement. “The truth is, I was enduring the worst pain of my life. It was a total shock to find out I needed immediate surgery, with just a 20 per cent chance of a full recovery.
“I was right in the middle of planning a major new project and talking about future fights when I got the news. Right now, my only goal is to take it step by step, getting back to life, and hopefully, back into the ring.”
Fast forward to present day, and Meinke is more determined than ever to literally beat the odds.
“I have invested a lot of time in medical exercises and physical therapy,” the reigning titlist further explained to BoxingScene. “I am starting to return to training to come back stronger and defend my title.”
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