Norway’s Cecilia “The First Lady” Braekhus cemented her already assured place in the pantheon of all-time boxing greats on Saturday by ending her career on the highest note possible.
Fighting on her home turf in Lillestrom, the 44-year-old women’s boxing pioneer defeated Ema Kozin by unanimous decision to win the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles, achieving her ultimate career goal of becoming a two-weight world champion.
The judges scored Braekhus 97-93, 96-94 and 98-92, respectively a dramatic, successful and historic end to a career that spanned 18 years and changed the landscape of women’s boxing and Norwegian sport itself.
A challenge worthy of a legend
Braekhus (39-2-1, 9 KO) has stated publicly that her career-ending fight will not be a elementary “exhibition fight” for an simple ride into the sunset. Instead, she chose a formidable opponent in Ema Kozin, a player 18 years her junior and the reigning champion who won her 2023 titles. The stakes were high: unifying two major titles at 154 pounds.
Against a physical southpaw opponent, Braekhus rolled back the years. She displayed the veteran skills, pinpoint precision and relentless work that defined her ten-year reign as the undisputed welterweight queen. For ten rounds, Braekhus dictated the pace, landing fierce attacks to the head and body, demonstrating a dominant performance that left no doubt in the eyes of both the judges and the excited crowd.
This victory adds the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles to a historic collection, making her a second-weight champion after an unprecedented run at welterweight, where she became the first woman to hold all four major titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) simultaneously.
A homecoming decades spent earning
The location of the final bell was as significant as the score. Braekhus, who began her professional career in 2007, played a key role in overturning a 33-year ban on professional boxing in Norway. The “Knockout Law,” which had banned professional boxing since 1981, was only repealed in 2014 after years of dedicated campaigning by the “First Lady.”
Her fight against Anne Sophie Mathis in 2016 was the first legal professional boxing event on Norwegian soil in 35 years and was a sold-out success. For Braekhus, ending her boxing life in the country she fought for, both in and out of the ring, was the non-negotiable end of her story. It was a final, moving nod to the country and the people who supported her in overcoming legal and social barriers.
Emotional words from the president of WBC Women Boxing, Malte to: #PaniBoxing Cecilia Braekhus, who won the WBC super middleweight championship and officially retired from the ring as champion. Congratulations @WBCBoxingpic.twitter.com/hz95TT6RrR
Braekhus is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee for a career filled with accolades. She is the first woman to unify four major belts and holds the all-time women’s record of 25 consecutive successful world title defenses.
But her ultimate legacy is her pivotal role as a pioneer. She was a key bridge for women’s boxing, leading the sport through a period where it received little attention and paving the way for its current boom and the six-figure earnings enjoyed by today’s stars such as Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields. Her latest performance, a demanding championship victory on her own terms on her home turf, is a powerful testament to her discipline, commitment and desire to ensure that “the end is equal to the rest of my career.”
After hanging up her gloves, the 44-year-old plans to devote herself to the sport and make sure that the “First Lady” remains present outside the ring, just as she was inside it. She leaves the sport as a two-time world champion and one of the most crucial figures in boxing history.
About the author
Phil Jay is a seasoned boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing NewsJay has interviewed dozens of world champions AND reported at ringside during the most crucial boxing nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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Xander Zayas and Jaron Ennis will meet tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where two undefeated world champions will fight for the WBO and WBA super welterweight titles.
Zayas is defending his WBO and first WBA title for the second time, while Ennis is moving up from welterweight in a bid to become a two-weight ruler.
World Boxing News brings you live scores and updates from Brooklyn throughout the evening.
Live scorecards:
• Jahi Tucker vs. Euri Cedeno
• Emiliano Vargas vs. Bryce Mills
• Ben Whittaker vs. Richard Rivera
• Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis (including round-by-round)
Scores by Xander Zayas and Jaron Ennis
Times are local – ET
00:11
Jaron “Boots” Ennis defeated Xander Zayas in seven rounds to become the unified WBA and WBO super welterweight champion in Brooklyn.
Ennis dropped Zayas in the first round, then survived a dramatic rally in the third round in which the previously undefeated champion hurt him with several demanding shots.
The momentum dropped significantly in the fifth quarter when Ennis knocked out Zayas with a crushing uppercut.
After dominating the sixth puck, Ennis forced Zayas to kneel at the start of the seventh puck, prompting the referee to wave his hand and stop the fight.
22:43
Emiliano Vargas remained undefeated after stopping Bryce Mills in the fourth round after a dominant display in the shootout.
Vargas controlled most of the contest, although Mills had his moments in return. He won the first two rounds 10-9 before scoring a knockdown in the third and taking a frame 10-8.
The end came in the fourth period when Vargas dropped Mills twice to force a stoppage and seal an impressive TKO victory.
21:55
Ben Whittaker he defeated Richie Rivera with a crushing left hook in the second round after dropping “Popeye The Sailor Man” in the opening session.
Rivera has proven to be more than just routine work for the British lithe heavyweight, who now desperately needs a tougher test after another impressive stoppage win.
21:50
Ben Whittaker and Richie Rivera in the ring.
21:23
Jahi Tucker he achieved a majority decision victory over Euri Cedeno after ten rounds of competition, continuing his middleweight career.
Tucker took control early before Cedeno fought his way back into contention in the middle rounds. However, Tucker finished the fight as the stronger of the two, winning the final four rounds on the WBN card and securing a well-deserved verdict.
The official judges scored it 95-95, 97-93 and 98-92, giving Tucker the majority win. WBN cards 98-92.
20:53
A barnstorm is heating up for the first fight on the Pay Per View card between Jahi Tucker and Euri Cedeno.
19:56
Dennis Thompson defeated Edwin Rodriguez from Puerto Rico by split decision in a close fight. Thompson rose to a gripping challenge and earned the verdict after eight rounds.
The judges scored the fight 79-73 and 77-75 in his favor, while the third judge scored it 77-75 for Rodriguez.
The victory gave Thompson a 1-0 lead for Philadelphia over Puerto Rico.
19:43
Dennis Thompson and Edwin Rodriguez go toe-to-toe in their super bantamweight bout.
19:14
Quincey Williams they remained undefeated with a dominant 79-73 unanimous decision over the hard-wearing Jerome Baxter after eight rounds.
18:35
Quincey Williams 6-0 starts his fight against Jerome Baxter 8-1 in the welterweight division.
On the card too Juanma Lopez DeJesus it took just over two minutes to beat Alberto Motos.
Boxing in the match room
Announcement
Zayas and Ennis meet over twelve rounds for the WBO and WBA super welterweight world titles in one of the biggest fights of the year in boxing.
The undefeated champions will headline the highest level competition and boxing competition held at the Barclays Center under the jurisdiction of the Up-to-date York State Athletic Commission.
The main support will be Ben Whittaker’s defense of his WBC Silver lithe heavyweight title against Richard Rivera following his victory over Liam Cameron.
Undefeated Emiliano Vargas also returns against Bryce Mills, while Jahi Tucker and Euri Cedeno fight for the vacant IBF North American, WBC USA and WBO NABO middleweight titles.
Elsewhere on the card, Quincey Williams will face Jerome Baxter, Dennis Thompson will face Edwin Rodriguez and Juanma Lopez De Jesus will open the action against Alberto Motos.
Updates will be added below as the action unfolds in Brooklyn, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives and reported in-ring performances. Read the full biography.
Oscar Collazo remained undefeated and won the WBO International flyweight title on Saturday night with a devastating two-round victory over Neider Valdez.
The unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine minimumweight champion improved to 15-0 with 12 knockouts after defeating Valdez three times before Mexico’s corner stopped the fight at 2:35 of the second round.
Making his final appearance at 112 pounds, Collazo showed his strength immediately transferred to the upper division, defeating Valdez from the opening bell at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.
The Puerto Rican striker repeatedly found a home for his left hand and left no doubt about the outcome before the fight was called off.
“I felt great at 112 pounds. I love this division. In fact, I want to stay here for a long time,” Collazo said.
Knockdowns
Collazo admitted that he had already called for the fight to be stopped.
“After the third knockdown I was basically saying, ‘Never again, never again’. It was the right decision for his safety. His corner was well checked.
Cris Esqueda | Golden Boy
The victory added another belt to Collazo’s collection and enhanced his growing reputation as one of boxing’s most invigorating champions in the lower weight division.
Looking ahead, Collazo has made it clear who he wants next.
“The fight with Ricardo Sandoval definitely interests me. I really want that fight. I’m ready for gigantic fights. I’m ready to make history. That’s the fight I want next.”
Sandoval currently holds the WBA flyweight title, making this one of the most attractive fights available if Collazo continues his climb in weight.
The event was broadcast live on DAZN and was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in partnership with Miguel Cotto Promotions.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives and reported on ring performances. Read the full biography.
World Boxing News has archived the biggest boxing results from April 2026, including Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Conor Benn, Tenshin Nasukawa, Alycia Baumgardner, Ben Whittaker, Jarrell Miller and Skye Nicolson.
The month featured major action in the heavyweight division, title fights in multiple divisions, and several notable performances from emerging contenders and established world champions.
Below is the complete archive of WBN’s April 2026 boxing results, including links to fight reports, scorecards and live coverage where available.
April 29
Skye Nicolson defeated Mariah Turner UD
April 25
Jarrell Miller defeated Lenier Pero UD | Report and results
April 18
Ben Whittaker defeated Brian Sanchez KO1 | Scorecard and results
April 17
Alicja Baumgardner defeated Bo Mi Re Shin UD | Report and results
Lani Daniels defeated Shadasia Green TKO9 | Report
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