Cecilia Braekhus has decided that her next fight will be her last, but she isn’t treating Saturday’s swan song in a challenge of unified junior middleweight titleholder Ema Kozin at the Nova Spektrum in Lillestrom, Norway, like some sort of glorified farewell tour.
Even on her final stride out of the sport, at age 44, Braekhus selected a lofty target – and she doesn’t intend to miss.
“I could have picked an easy fight to end my career, but this is not a show match,” said Braekhus, 38-2-1 (9 KOs). “It’s going to be a really hard fight against a tough opponent, but that will make the victory extra satisfying.”
Braekhus, of Bergen, Norway, won her first 36 professional fights, held at least one version of the women’s welterweight title for a decade and successfully defended her undisputed title on eight consecutive occasions. But even with a prominent place in boxing lore secured, she is leaving nothing to chance in what she has declared her final go-round in the ring.
“The preparations have been perfect,” she said. “I started in Storefjell, the Norwegian mountains, and continued with a training camp in London and ended it with a week here in Lillestrom. It’s been a fantastic journey towards my final fight.”
There is genuine intrigue wrapped in the fight. Slovenia’s Kozin, 24-1-1 (12 KOs), is just 26 – or 14 years Braekhus’ junior – and has lost only to Claressa Shields as a pro. But Kozin also has been inactive since a split decision win over Hannah Rankin in November 2023. She has been respectful of Braekhus’ contributions to women’s boxing but isn’t interested in ceding ground based on past accomplishments.
“Cecilia was one of my role models, and she’s had an amazing career,” Kozin said. “But I feel great and I cannot wait to step into the ring.
“As I see it, I am the favorite. I am the champion, she’s the challenger. But she had a remarkable career behind her. And maybe many will see her as a favorite, but I’ve made huge progress in two years and nobody knows how good I am.”
Braekhus says Kozin is a physical opponent who is in “top shape,” and notes the challenge that comes with her southpaw stance. But she also believes she’s the better fighter – still – and says Kozin underestimates her own fitness.
“This is my final fight, my farewell match,” Braekhus said. “I’ve already secured my place in the Hall of Fame of boxing, but by claiming these two belts and becoming world champion in two weight classes, I’m in company with the all-time greats in boxing history. So that makes it one of the most important fights in my entire career. It will cement my legacy.”
