Cecilia Braekhus, the Colombian-born Norwegian boxing icon, stepped into the ring for the final time this past Saturday night at Nova Spektrum Lillestrom in Norway. The 44-year-old closed out her illustrious career in style, defeating Ema Kozin via unanimous decision to capture the WBC and WBO light middleweight titles. She became a two-division world champion and cemented her place among boxing’s greats.

The judges scored the bout 97–93, 96–94, and 98–92, all in favor of Braekhus. Overcome with emotion, ‘The First Lady of Boxing’ fell to her knees, head in her hands, as the magnitude of the moment sank in. “I want to thank the boxing community all over the world, my friends in England, LA, everyone. I’m so happy,” Braekhus said. Following her farewell victory, the WBC has now paid tribute to the legendary champion on social media.

WBC honors Cecilia Braekhus as a champion with a profound love for animals

Earlier today, WBC Cares, a global nonprofit initiative established by the World Boxing Council, hopped on Instagram to share some pictures of Braekhus with her dogs. The post aimed to highlight the 44-year-old’s love for animals, as well as pay tribute to her legendary career. “Cecilia Braekhus, The First Lady of Boxing, has always shown endurance, courage, and excellence qualities that have made her one of the most respected champions in the sport,” they wrote. 

“We at WBC Cares truly admire and respect Cecilia, both for her remarkable career and for the kindness she’s shown outside the ring. Over the years, she’s shared her love for dogs, reflecting the same loyalty, empathy, and grace that defined her time as a champion,” WBC Cares continued. “Whether greeting a pup in the ring or spending time with her beloved Chihuahua, Cecilia reminds us that true greatness is measured not only by titles, but by compassion.”

“Today, we celebrate her journey as a champion, a role model, and a friend to animals everywhere,” the post by WBC Cares concluded. That being said, have you ever wondered why Braekhus is called ‘The First Lady of Boxing’?

Cecilia Braekhus was the first to box in Norway

The story behind how Braekhus earned the nickname is nothing short of inspirational. Her trailblazing achievements helped transform women’s boxing and Norwegian sport. Braekhus became the first lady in history to unify all four major world titles, cementing her place as one of the sport’s greatest champions. But her legacy extends beyond the ring.

In 1981, Norway enforced a 33-year ban on professional boxing, which came to an end in 2014. Braekhus was again the first to headline the first professional boxing event in Norway in decades. Through her victories, advocacy, and resilience, Braekhus not only broke records but also barriers, earning her rightful place as ‘The First Lady of Boxing.’

Cecilia Braekhus may not enter the ring again, but her work inside and outside the ring will continue to inspire thousands of women to follow in her footsteps. What do you think about her career?