Cecilia Braekhus Prepares for Farewell Fight in Norway, Closing a Trailblazing Career

After 18 years at the pinnacle of professional boxing, Cecilia Braekhus’s final bell is about to ring. Tonight, in Lillestrom, Norway, the ‘First Lady’ of women’s boxing will face Slovenian Ema Kozin in a super-welterweight showdown that marks the close of Braekhus’s illustrious career.

“It’s a mixture of emotions — some sad, some happy,” Braekhus told Boxing News ahead of the bout. “It’s goodbye to a sport I’ve been part of for many years. Every day in the gym still brings me joy and luck, but I feel it’s time to move on and see what life outside boxing holds.”

At 44, Braekhus reflects on her journey from Colombia’s orphanages to becoming Norway’s boxing icon, acknowledging that while she still feels physically and mentally capable, she’s ready to embrace life beyond the ring. “I want to experience other things while I’m still young and healthy,” she said. “I still love boxing, but you only have one life.”

Retirement will be a profound adjustment for the Norwegian star, who understands the void left when the lights go out. “The transition is tough for any athlete. The fights, the camps, the audience—it’s an intense, intimate journey, and suddenly it’s gone,” she explained. But Braekhus has plans to stay busy, including writing a book, pursuing television opportunities, and public speaking.

Her decision to stage her final fight in Norway carries deep significance. “Professional boxing was banned here until 2014, and I was the one who helped get that ban lifted so I could defend my titles. It had to be here,” she said. True to her legacy, Braekhus opted for a formidable opponent rather than a soft exit. “There’s no interest in an easy farewell. The end has to match the rest of my career.”

Braekhus’s career has been marked by many milestones, including becoming the first female four-belt undisputed world champion. Among the highlights, she recalls her stunning victory over Anne Sophie Mathis — a fight that shocked the boxing world and marked her arrival on Norway’s stage.

Starting as a kickboxer and transitioning before women’s boxing became mainstream, Braekhus witnessed and helped drive the sport’s evolution. “There’s so much more commitment to women’s boxing now — from promoters, fans, and athletes alike. When I started, some gyms didn’t even train women. Now, girls start young, and the level is incredible.”

Though her reign was interrupted by two controversial losses to Jessica McCaskill during the challenging Covid era—fights Braekhus admits she might have avoided—her legacy remains untarnished. She has been a pioneer, breaking barriers and building a path for women’s boxing worldwide.

“Boxing gave me everything — discipline, community, adventure, and a life full of incredible experiences,” she reflected. “I just want to be remembered for what I did: becoming the first female undisputed champion, selling out arenas, and helping shape women’s boxing.”

As Braekhus steps into the ring for the last time, she closes a chapter not only of her own story but of women’s boxing history — one defined by grit, passion, and groundbreaking achievements.