Teresa Makinen edges out Chloe Watson in close battle

Chloe Watson has made boxing part of her life since a young age, building a strong youth and amateur career. Watson made her professional boxing debut in 2019, winning her first eight pro bouts before suffering a pair of losses in a setback. Watson, however, bounced back strong in her most recent fight, scoring a second-round stoppage victory over Klaudia Ferenczi in December.

Teresa Makinen became a national champion in her native Finland before making her way to the professional ranks in 2024. She has been impressive thus far, entering tonight’s bout 5-0. Makinen’s most recent fight came in December, scoring a majority decision over Natalia Francesca.

Who will win this bantamweight battle?

ROUND 1

Watson lands a couple of left hands. She flashes the right. Makinen fighting on the back foot. Watson lands a series of left jabs. Watson uses the jab and gets in close. The two trade in the clinch before being separated. Quickly into another clinch. They each land a right hand before separation. Watson misses a big right. Watson misses another big right. Left hand from Makinen. Right hand by Watson. Left hand from Makinen. Right hand by Watson. Right hand, followed by a left form Makinen. Overhands from both women.

ROUND 2

Right hand from Watson, but Makinen clinches and lands some inside shots. One-two from Makinen misses. Another clinch and Watson moves along the ropes. Makinen with another clinch. Another clinch and Watson lands a couple of inside shots. Left hand by Makinen before separating. Left hands from both women. Makinen landing inside on the body. Watson tries to work the left hand. A couple of strong lefts to the body by Watson. Left hands from Makinen now. Nice left hand upstairs by Watson. Right hand by Makinen. Makinen with another body shot.

ROUND 3

Left hands by Makinen. Makinen with a couple of more left hands. The two circle in the center. Watson with the left hand. Watson connects on the body. Makinen misses the right hand. Combinations friom both women before going in for another clinch. Watson flashes the left hand. One-two from Makinen. Both flash the jabs. Watson misses the left hand. Strong body shot by Makinen. The two exchange before the bell.

ROUND 4

Makinen flashes the left hand. Watson coming forward, throwing the left. Left hand by Watson again. A clinch in the middle of the ring. Makinen misses a body shot. Right hand to the body by Watson. Inside shots by Watson. Both flash their jabs. Another inside shot by Watson. Both miss straights. Left hand by Watson. Makinen lands a big shot. Both landing inside. Makinen with a lead hook.

ROUND 5

Makinen with a left hand. Watson with a one-two catching Makinen coming in. Both waiting patiently for the other to make a move. Left hand to the body by Makinen. Watson pressures Makinen to the ropes. Watson with a right hand. Makinen with a left hand. Makinen misses a pair of power shots. Right hand, followed by a left for Watson. Watson pressures Makinen with a combination. Makinen misses a left. Both connect with lunging shots.

ROUND 6

Watson coming forward in southpaw stance. Watson pressing Makinen toward the ropes. Makinen with another brief clinch. Watson lands in close on the body, Makinen responds likewise. Another clinch battle with both landing inside. More inside trading between the two. Right hand by Watson. Makinen lands the right hand. Watson with a right. Makinen lands a left.

ROUND 7

Watson lands a right hand. Watson lands a strong shot and Makinen is bloodied on the side of her face. More inside shots. Makinen lands a combination. Makinen lands a left. More inside shots landing for Watson. Left hand by Watson. Watson’s defense starting to develop well. Makinen throwing the left, and Watson responds by firing a combination. Strong right hand from Makinen, Watson lands a counter, and Makinen responds with a body shot. Another body-head combination from Makinen.

ROUND 8

The two exchange early. Watson lands a punch up the middle. Makinen works the left hand on Watson. Watson with a combination upstairs. Right hand by Watson. Body shots from both women. Left hand from Makinen, and Watson lands a combination. Left hand by Makinen. Another clinch against the ropes. Right hand by Makinen. Body shot by Watson. Right hand and a left by Makinen. Right hand by Watson is blocked. One-two by Makinen and a body shot by Watson before the bell.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Teresa Makinen def. Chloe Watson via decision (77-75)