While both boxers are young, twenty-three and twenty-two respectively, it was in reality prospect vs. experienced operator on Friday night, November 4, in Douai, France, when Segolene Lefebvre took on Gabriella Mezei for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Women’s Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title.
After only five professional bouts, undefeated Lefebvre, who won the French national title at Super Featherweight in just her fourth bout last April, put a thick line under the fact that she is one to watch on the world scene by overcoming some rough patches to beat Romanian two-time world title-challenger Mezei.
The visitor stated fast, and stunned Lefebvre with a big overhand right in the very first round. But Lefebvre composed herself and got through the crisis, and already in the second she had the upper hand with clean boxing against the wild swings of Mezei.
It was a very entertaining fight with contrasting styles, and in spots the fighters engaged in some big exchanges. Mezei seemed unable to solve the puzzle of Lefebvre, especially in the second half, but in the tenth and final round she again found some success.
Mezei came out strong and fast for the final stanza, and tried everything she could to turn the tide. She connected with some clean shots, and appeared to have Lefebvre momentarily stunned again, but the local girl kept her poker-face and survived the storm.
After ten very good rounds of action, judges Jean Marcel Nartz and Mohamed Hireche both scored the fight 97-93, while judge Christophe Hembert had it slightly wider at 98-92, all for Lefebvre, who improved her record to 6-0 (0). Mezei drops to 7-7-2 (2).
The fight was the main event of a show promoted by Douai Boxing Club and Rani Felouki.
