Mäkinen Remains Undefeated vs Ephraim

Finnish boxer Teresa Mäkinen continued her impressive start to her professional career in Santa Pola, Spain. Mäkinen faced Odelia Ben Ephraim in an eight-round bout.

The 21-year-old Mäkinen fought brilliantly, taking the reins immediately after the first gong was sounded.

Ben Ephraim attacked with determination, but repeatedly ran into Teresa’s fiery blows.

Teresa responded to the attack with her precise strikes. Ben Ephraim, who has a tenacious and tough character, clearly had a hard time protecting herself against Teresa’s speed. The strikes that Teresa offered, mostly hooks, landed to the head and body.

Teresa’s hooks came out sharply, often from a small deflection, either individually or as the opening of a combination.

Teresa noticed at the beginning of the match that Ben Ephraim, who was coming forward with power, was leaking protection!

Ben Ephraim’s right hand fell while attacking, so Teresa delivered a powerful left hook to the 25-year-old Frenchwoman’s jaw. Ben Ephraim also landed a right to the upper arm several times.

After 2-3 hard-fought rounds, it was noticeable that Ben Ephraim was slowed down by Teresa’s body strikes, a quick left hook from the evasion to the body and then continued upstairs. Teresa’s short, fast hooks, which easily escaped from a narrow opening, were effective.

The audience also liked what they saw and rewarded Finland’s Terasa Mäki with their resounding cheers. The noise was really loud at times, the local audience has taken Teresa as their own and clearly liked what they saw.

Coach Ricky Pow’s tactical skills were also evident in this match. Up until the 5th-6th rounds, Teresa took guaranteed rounds with precise hits against the attacking Ben Ephraim. A single hard blow was received and then followed-up. Fast feet and hands, also in defense, increased Teresa’s lead second by second.

As the match progressed, Ben Ephraim found herself in a situation she may not have often been in. Teresa followed the tactics, receiving the coach’s instructions to press forward with force, to half-distance and to close combat. Ben Ephraim found herself on the so-called back foot, a clearly more unfamiliar situation for her.

Round 7 was the most even of the match, as Ben Ephraim also hit Teresa who was coming forward. However, Teresa’s protection, quick movement and reactions protected her from worse blows and round 8 was again under Teresa’s command.

The fight was 21-year-old Teresa Mäkinen’s fourth as a professional, but despite that, she delivered efficient, precise and determined boxing, winning every round! Still, it must be said that Ben Ephraim put up a tough fight, she was also hungry for victory and tried her best or more. Finals scores were a bear shutout: Teresa Mäkinen UD: 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73! Mäkinen remains undefeated at 4-0, while Ephraim evens out at 5-5.

Mäkinen’s manager, Tomi Korpinen, stated before the match:

“A win in Santa Pola would likely put Teresa in the EBU ratings, which would open up completely new doors. We are progressing according to plan, and we are heading towards a title fight.”

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