Cecilia Braekhus: The Crowned Queen Bows Out with Historic Two-Weight World Championship
Norwegian boxing legend Cecilia Braekhus caps her trailblazing career with dominant WBC/WBO light-middleweight title victory, retiring as two-division champion and architect of Norway's boxing revival.





Emotional Farewell in Lillestrøm
44-year-old boxing pioneer Cecilia Braekhus delivered a masterclass performance at Nova Spektrum Arena, outclassing Ema Kozin (96-94, 97-93, 98-92) to claim the WBC/WBO light-middleweight belts in her final professional bout. The First Lady of Boxing collapsed to the canvas in tears as Norway celebrated its fighting icon's storybook ending.
Career Highlights:
- First female boxer to hold all four major titles simultaneously (2014)
- 39-2-1 record across 18-year career
- 3 Guinness World Records for championship longevity
- Instrumental in lifting Norway's 33-year pro boxing ban
Technical Breakdown: Braekhus vs Kozin
The Slovenian challenger started aggressively, but Braekhus' signature double-hook combinations and body-head coordination dominated from Round 2. Key moments included:
- Round 4: Flush 5-punch combo brings 3,000-strong crowd to feet
- Round 8: Crushing right hook-left body whip combination
- Final Round: 44-year-old warrior trading blows until last bell
Legacy Beyond the Ring
While her 2014-2020 welterweight reign revolutionized women's boxing, Braekhus' greatest achievement remains transforming Norway's combat sports landscape. Through First Lady Promotions, she:
- Hosted first major pro boxing event in Oslo since 1981
- Mentored Scandinavia's new generation of female fighters
- Partnered with mental health charities through fight events
"This isn't goodbye to boxing," Braekhus stated post-fight. "Now I build champions instead of being one." Industry experts predict roles in:
- Broadcast analysis
- Olympic development programs
- Global boxing diplomacy
Featured Image: Braekhus raises both championship belts during emotional retirement ceremony (Credit: Ole Skogbakkevold/The Final Bell)