Cecilia Braekhus has confirmed that her next bout will be her last, closing out a legendary career against Ema Kozin this Saturday, October 4, at the Nova Spektrum in Lillestrom, Norway. On the line will be Kozin’s unified junior middleweight titles.
Braekhus (38-2-1, 9 KOs), 44, could have opted for a softer farewell, but instead chose a dangerous challenge. “I could have picked an easy fight to end my career, but this is not a show match,” Braekhus said. “It’s going to be a really hard fight against a tough opponent, but that will make the victory extra satisfying.”
The Norwegian icon, who once held every major belt at welterweight and defended her undisputed crown eight times, has been meticulous in preparing for her swan song. Her training camp spanned from the mountains of Storefjell to London before finishing in Lillestrom. “It’s been a fantastic journey towards my final fight,” she reflected.
Her opponent, Slovenia’s Kozin (24-1-1, 12 KOs), is just 26 and has lost only to Claressa Shields. She has not fought since outpointing Hannah Rankin in November 2023 but insists she has grown since then. “As I see it, I am the favorite,” Kozin said. “I am the champion, she’s the challenger. Cecilia was one of my role models, but I feel great and I cannot wait to step into the ring.”
Braekhus, however, believes she still has the tools to win. 8“This is my final fight, my farewell match,”* she said. “I’ve already secured my place in the Hall of Fame, but by claiming these two belts and becoming champion in two weight classes, I’ll be in company with the all-time greats. That makes it one of the most important fights of my career. It will cement my legacy.”
Fight card:
▪️Cecilia Braekhus vs. Ema Kozin, 10 x 2 rounds, for the WBC and WBO World super welterweight titles
▪️Bernard Angelo Torres vs. Yeison Juarez, 8 rounds, featherweight
▪️Andreas Skarvold Iversen vs. Alexander Martinsen, 6 rounds, cruiserweight
▪️Adrian Hagen vs. Anatolii Burdiian, 4 rounds, light heavyweight
▪️Anne Line Hogstad vs. Nino Janelidze, 4 x 2 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Ole Laache vs. Giorgi Khubejashvili, 4 rounds, heavyweight
