Elhem Mekhaled: “I have waited a long time for a world title opportunity, and I believe this is my destiny.”

Elhem Mekhaled: “I have waited a long time for a world title opportunity, and I believe this is my destiny.”

By Matt Elliott

Sometimes, things happen in life when you least expect them to. This is certainly the case for Elhem Mekhaled, who faces Alycia Baumgardner for the undisputed world super-featherweight titles on February 4th at Madison Square Garden.

Rewind to the beginning of last year, and this opportunity seemed nothing more than a pipe dream. Mekhaled had been waiting patiently for a shot at the WBC world title, having become the interim champion with a victory over Danila Ramos in March 2019. Wins against Gabriella Mezei and Karina Szmalenburg followed, and as that year ended, she believed her opportunity was close. Covid then intervened and, like most professional boxers, Mekhaled had a prolonged period of inactivity, spending twenty-one months out of the ring and having to watch on frustratingly, as those fighters with the backing of the promotional juggernauts, stepped in and took her place.

Mekhaled returned to the ring in September 2021, taking her frustration out on Pasa Malagic with a first-round victory. It was after this fight and with the chances of a world title shot seemingly gone, that she decided to step away from the sport. Then, an opportunity presented itself that was too good to turn down as she was contacted to fight the former IBF and WBC lightweight champion Delfine Persoon on the undercard of a Floyd Mayweather Jr exhibition bout in Abu Dhabi.

“When I won the WBC interim title, I was waiting for a chance to fight for the regular belt, and it never came. Before the Delfine Persoon fight I had stopped boxing, I did not want to do it anymore. Sarah Fina contacted me to fight against Delfine, and that fight proved my level, both to myself and others and it showed me I was ready for this chance.” 

The build-up for Persoon was far from ideal. Mekhaled was now focused on life outside of boxing, so whilst she was maintaining her fitness, any serious training had ceased. She took the fight with only two weeks of preparation and both women had to endure the extra challenge of a short postponement, as the original fight date was moved back following the death of the UAE President, Shiekh Khalifa. In a tough ten-round battle, Mekhaled suffered her first professional defeat, losing a unanimous points decision, but she reflects positively on the experience.

“I lost the fight to Delfine, but I took it at short notice and with not much preparation and I thought I performed well, so there were plenty of positives I could take. It was my first fight against a high-level opponent and now I know my level. The fight proved my qualities and whilst I lost, in my head I won, because it has now led to the fight for undisputed. I have a new manager (Sarah Fina) and she believes in me, and she knows the level needed for world titles.” 

Despite the defeat, Mekhaled came out with a lot of credit for taking the fight to Persoon, who is known to be a tough opponent and who was only narrowly defeated by Katie Taylor in 2019, a fight many believe she won. Persoon would lose another close fight to Taylor the following year.

This reignited the love for the sport for Mekhaled and her perseverance finally paid off when it was announced that she would get her world title shot in February against Baumgardner, only this will not just be for just one title, it will be for the full set of baubles, proving good things can eventually come to those who wait.

“I have waited a long time for a world title opportunity, and I believe this is my destiny. In the end, the wait has meant I am fighting for all of the titles. I am so excited for the fight, and I feel very good. It has been a long time coming and I had almost given up on the idea of it ever happening. I believe in myself, and I think I am a high-level boxer and come February 4th I will prove it.” 

The fight takes place in the Hulu Theater at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the first time Mekhaled has fought in America, and she admits this is made even more special given she will be representing France on the world stage.

“This is my first time-fighting in America. There are not a lot of female boxers from France and certainly not many who have fought in such a venue, so this is a huge opportunity. I can set an example for other female fighters back home, both now and in the future. This is also a big event for women. The sport is growing, and we are now seeing more fights featured on cards and headlining. For me to fight for undisputed and on a card where there are two female undisputed title fights, it is just incredible.”

Mekhaled acknowledges the task ahead of her is a tough one. Alycia Baumgardner’s stock has risen hugely since her 2021 victory over Terri Harper, and she cemented her reputation when she defeated Mikaela Mayer last time out. Whilst acknowledging her opponents’ strengths, Mekhaled is full of confidence and backs herself to realise her dreams.

“Alycia has a good shot selection. She is very accurate and possesses good technical skills. I also consider myself to be a technical fighter, but I can punch as well. I can adapt my style depending on the opponent and I have a good mindset. I think the fight will be a war, but I have what it takes to win.”

Victory against Baumgardner would propel Mekhaled’s reputation to a new level, but it will not fundamentally alter her life in the way you might expect. The misconception that such victories bring with them huge financial gains are dismissed by the French fighter, who will return to her job in an insurance company, regardless of the outcome.

“My life will change but I will continue to work because there is no more money, which is why I need the sponsorship to meet my costs and why I need to continue to work to live my life how I want to. Boxing is not as popular in France and female boxing is not a priority. I am lucky that my employer is also my sponsor, and he permits me to go to training camps and abroad for camps and to fight. If I am fortunate enough to have several title defences, then perhaps in the future I will not need to work again.”

The confidence that Mekhaled exudes is mesmerising and a reflection of her upbringing. After the loss of her mother at an early age, it was the influence of her father that helped her to achieve focus and ultimately led her to boxing.

“I lost my mother aged five and my father raised me. He was strict and his education to me was like that of a boy. He told me I must learn to fight against everything to win my happiness, and boxing is like that. I love boxing because it is the same as life, you have to fight hard to achieve your goals.”

It will be this ethos that will make her determined to go to America and achieve her dreams. The fight has been a long time in the making and whilst Mekhaled will enter the ring as the underdog, do not be surprised if she upsets the odds and walks out as the undisputed champion.