Mikaela Lauren is due to face former IBF champion Ivana Habazin

WBC super welterweight champion Mikaela Lauren has demanded a ‘ring boy’ for her title defence in Stockholm at the weekend.

Lauren has told her promoters she will only defend her title if the "sexist" number girls are replaced by a male equivalent.

"I've spoken to my promoter and told him that I will not fight if they use number girls,'' Lauren told worldboxingnews.net.

"Why should there be a half-naked woman in the ring when two top female athletes are competing? I think it's sexist. Women shouldn't be seen as sex objects!"

The 40-year-old Swede, who has won 26 fights and lost three times since turning professional in 2009, is due to face former IBF champion Ivana Habazin.

"I want a number boy,'' added Lauren. ''I think that's only fair, and I'm sure it will give the women in the audience some pleasure as well.''

Promoter Nisse Sauerland is now searching for a number boy so Saturday's fight at the Hovet can go ahead.

"I respect Mikaela's opinion,'' said Sauerland. ''It is not something we had anticipated, however, we will now endeavour to find a number boy for her world title defence.''