Cecilia Braekhus retires after becoming two-weight world champion in final bout

Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus ended her illustrious career in style, beating Ema Kozin on points to claim the WBC and WBO light-middleweight titles in her final bout.

The 44-year-old rolled back the years with sharp attacks to the head and body in a dominant performance in Lillestrom.

The judges scored it 97-93, 96-94 and 98-92, as Braekhus became a world champion in a second weight division.

The ‘First Lady’ of boxing fell to her knees when the scores were read out, with head in hands – clearly overcome with emotion, having previously announced that the fight would be her last.

“I want to thank the boxing community all over the world, my friends in England, LA, everyone. I’m so happy,” Braekhus said.

Braekhus – who in 2014 became the first female boxer to hold all four major belts simultaneously – retires with a record of 39 wins, two defeats and one draw.

Having made her debut in 2007, she dominated the welterweight division, defending her unified world titles for more than a decade.

She was also instrumental in overturning Norway’s 33-year ban on professional boxing in 2014, making her retirement on home soil especially poignant.