Photos/Weights: Svensson vs. Farias, Nielsen vs. Acosta
May 1, 2015 • 12:20 PM ET
By Jake Donovan
Badou Jack’s title-lifting effort over Anthony Dirrell was described by the media in Sweden as the nation’s most significant feat since Ingemar Johansson shocked the world with a heavyweight championship winning knockout of Floyd Patterson in 1959. The Swedish community now hopes for two of its own to claim belts in as many weekends as Kiara Svensson faces Erica Farias in their junior welterweight title fight Saturday evening in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Both fighters made weight for the headlining act of a nine-bout show at Frederkisberge Hallerne. Farias—a career lightweight before moving up in weight last year—weighed a trim 137.5 lbs; Svensson (15-0, 5KOs) tipped the scales at 138.5 lbs.
Farias (21-1, 10KOs) attempts her first title defense of a junior welterweight belt she claimed last November, outpointing Alejandra Marina on the road in Mexico. Saturday’s bout marks the third career fight outside of Argentina, all coming in her last four fights. Farris previously reigned at lightweight before moving up in weight last year.
Svensson (15-0, 5KOs) fights for her first major title after posting back-to-back wins in interim title fights. Seeing Jack—born and raised in Sweden but who now fights out of Las Vegas—turn in a career-best performance versus Dirrell last weekend only heightens her confidence heading into Saturday night.
“I'm really happy for Badou Jack,” said Svensson. “It's given me a lot of inspiration for my fight on Saturday. Just like Badou, I'm the underdog challenging the world champion for the WBC title. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to repeat his success.
“Badou and I competed together in the Swedish national amateur team many years ago. We both left Sweden to pursue a boxing career in countries where professional boxing is accepted. Hopefully our international success can make Sweden more positive towards the sport. Two Swedish world champions in one week should give boxing a huge boost in our country.”
In the evening’s chief support, Patrick Nielsen and Ruben Acosta square off in a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout. Both fighters weighed in at 174.2 lbs.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
