Ladies’s boxing wouldn’t look the identical right now with out Cecilia Braekhus. Earlier than Katie Taylor offered out arenas, earlier than Claressa Shields demanded equal billing, and earlier than Amanda Serrano broke obstacles, there was “The First Girl.”
In 2009, Braekhus took the mantle from Christy Martin as the brand new flagbearer for the game, and she or he by no means regarded again. What set her aside was not simply the longevity of her reign however her imaginative and prescient. At a time when the idea of an undisputed champion in girls’s boxing was virtually extraordinary, Braekhus made it her mission.
The First Girl’s Undisputed Legacy
From her first WBC welterweight crown in 2009, she steadily added to her assortment—unifying additional in 2012 earlier than finishing the set in 2014. In doing so, she grew to become the primary lady in historical past to attain undisputed standing within the four-belt period.
Guinness World Data confirmed her dominance: “The longest reign as a four-belt undisputed world boxing champion is 5 years 337 days from September 13, 2014, to August 15, 2020.” It might take one other 5 years earlier than some other feminine fighter managed the identical feat.
Her gorgeous unbeaten run of 36-0 was the stuff of legend, a decade-long streak that solely ended in opposition to Jessica McCaskill in 2020. Crucially, throughout that reign, Braekhus equaled the document of 25 consecutive profitable world title defenses, a feat solely ever matched by the good heavyweight champion, Joe Louis.
Going Out a Champion
Even after her first profession loss, Braekhus refused to bow out quietly. She remained within the elite dialog, at all times chasing the best degree, till she lastly determined to name it quits this weekend.
That farewell will come this Saturday, October 4, on the Nova Spektrum in Lillestrøm, Norway—her first combat at residence since 2017. She faces WBO/WBC junior middleweight champion Ema Kozin in “The Ultimate Bell,” with the prospect to retire a unified champion at 42 years outdated.
Braekhus made clear on the press convention that she selected an actual combat, not an exhibition.
“This isn’t a present match. It’s going to be a very exhausting combat in opposition to a troublesome opponent, however that can make the victory additional satisfying. I’ve already secured my place within the corridor of fame, however by claiming these two belts, I’ll be in firm with the all-time greats.”
A Historic Reign Ends in Norway
Kozin, 24-1-1, is sort of twenty years youthful and brings youth, measurement, and perception into the ring. However even she acknowledged Braekhus’ function in shaping the game: “Cecilia was one among my function fashions, and she or he’s had an incredible profession. However I really feel nice and I can not wait to step into the ring.”
For Braekhus, whether or not she wins or loses, her legacy is safe. She was the pioneer of the undisputed period, the proof of idea that ladies’s boxing might be organized, marketed, and fought on the very highest degree.
With out Braekhus, there could by no means have been a Taylor-Serrano in Madison Sq. Backyard, or a Shields headlining pay-per-view. She carried the game by the wilderness years and handed the torch to a brand new era who took it mainstream.
On Saturday evening in Norway, boxing will salute greater than only a champion. It can salute the fighter who made it doable for ladies’s boxing to matter within the fashionable period.
In regards to the Creator
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of expertise protecting the worldwide combat scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s greatest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and be taught extra about his work in fight sports activities journalism.
