Cecilia Braekhus has already made history in women’s boxing. The Norwegian fighter, who became welterweight world champion in March 2009, successfully defended her crown 25 times, equaling Joe Louis’s long-standing men’s record. This Saturday, at the age of 44, Braekhus will try to climb back to the top of the sport, aiming to capture the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles from reigning champion Ema Kozin.
The bout will take place at the Nova Spektrum in Lillestrom, Norway, where a packed crowd of fans is expected to loudly support the challenger. Braekhus has often drawn large audiences when fighting in her home country.
The Norwegian star lost her titles in August 2020 to Jessica McCaskill by majority decision, after a very close contest. In the rematch, however, Braekhus was clearly defeated, giving the impression that her career was nearing its end.
Nevertheless, the Bergen-born legend bounced back and came within inches of regaining world glory in 2023, when a highly controversial home-draw decision denied her the chance to reclaim a world title against Terri Harper in Sheffield.
Ema Kozin, a 26-year-old Slovenian fighter, holds a record of 24 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Her only defeat came against the unbeaten Claressa Shields, who scored a dominant points victory over her in 2022.
Kozin captured her titles by surprisingly defeating Hannah Rankin on away soil in Manchester in November 2023, but she has been inactive since then, leaving some doubts about her current condition.
The event will be promoted by First Lady Promotions, a company owned by Cecilia Braekhus herself.