It’s been one helluva ride for Cecilia Braekhus.
There’s a reason why she was given the nickname The First Lady. The now-aging vet has been around the game for nearly two decades. She didn’t simply take part in the sport, for the most part, she took over. Now, however, at the “young” age of 43, Braekhus has had enough. No longer is she interested in getting punched in the face for a living. She’s also tired of cutting down in weight.
Boxing doesn’t offer Cinderella endings but Braekhus (38-2-1, 9 KOs) is attempting to go out the way she wants. One final fight in front of her Norway fans would be the ideal finish to her career. In addition to Norway being the picture-perfect location, Braekhus has one person in mind to stand across the ring from for her final fight.
“That would be absolutely amazing,” said Braekhus to iFL TV when asked about the possibility of fighting Claressa Shields. “It’s definitely an option.”
Currently, Shields is still on an incredible high after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in women’s boxing history.
It wouldn’t take much for her to pick up the phone and agree to fighting Braekhus. The former two-time Olympic gold medalist has stated on numerous occasions that she simply wants to fight the best, making Braekhus a natural opponent.
Weight though, now comes into play. Shields packed on the pounds for her heavyweight showdown with Danielle Perkins recently, while Braekhus is the current interim WBC super welterweight champion.
Could Shields shed the weight and return to one of her old divisions to meet up with Braekhus? Seemingly. But, according to the future Hall of Famer, time most likely won’t allow it to happen.
“I don’t think she would be able to come down to my weight in the short period of time that I have left but that would be the dream match.”