Cecilia Braekhus defeated Ema Kozin by unanimous decision to capture the unified WBC and WBO super-welterweight titles.
Judges scored the bout 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 in Braekhus’ favor in Lillestrom.
At 44, she announced her retirement immediately after the victory, closing a historic 42-fight career.
Braekhus began her professional journey in 2007 when Norway still banned pro boxing.
She helped lift that ban in 2016 by defending her undisputed title in Oslo.
In 2014, she became the first woman to hold all four major world titles simultaneously, defeating Ivana Habazin.
A Legacy Built on Determination and Defiance
Braekhus maintained an incredible 36-fight winning streak over 13 years before suffering her first defeat.
Jessica McCaskill remains the only boxer to beat her, winning both welterweight world title fights.
Her reign as undisputed welterweight champion lasted from 2014 to 2020 and included 10 successful defenses.
In 2023, she narrowly missed unifying the WBA and WBO super-welterweight belts after drawing with Terri Harper in Sheffield.
Reflecting on her journey, Braekhus recalled the early struggles women faced in boxing.
“When I started, we couldn’t even compete in the Olympics,” she said.
She rejected those who told her women were less worthy and used that doubt to fuel her success.
“I’m grateful the next generation won’t face what we did,” she said proudly.
She reminded fans to appreciate how far women’s boxing has progressed.
New Generation Poised to Carry the Torch
Braekhus’ retirement and Katie Taylor’s nearing farewell mark the close of an era in women’s boxing.
A new wave of champions now leads the sport’s evolution.
Claressa Shields, 30, remains unbeaten and continues to make history.
She has earned two Olympic gold medals and world titles in five divisions.
Shields has unified championships in three divisions and currently holds the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Lauren Price, another Olympic gold medalist, represents Britain’s next big star.
In just nine professional fights, she has already unified three welterweight titles.
Price defeated Jessica McCaskill and Natasha Jonas, solidifying her rise among the elite.
Women’s boxing now stands stronger than ever, built on the foundation Cecilia Braekhus created.
