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Few athletes have earned a moniker as perfect as Cecilia 'The First Lady' Braekhus.

She is the first woman ever to unify every major title, the inaugural to headline a pro event in Norway and a fighter whose influence contributed to ending a 33-year ban on boxing - for both men and women - in her homeland.

This weekend in the city of Lillestrom, this 44-year-old pioneer will step into the boxing ring for the last time to face Slovenia's opponent Ema Kozin for the WBC and WBO light-middleweight titles.

Regardless of outcome, the fighter will sign off her professional journey which transformed female boxing and sports in Norway.

"The final bell had to be in Norway," she says. "The nation and its citizens who took down the prohibition against pro boxing so I could return home - they were the backbone of my career."

Hailing from Colombia and raised in Norway, Cecilia spent her career breaking down barriers - from fighting misogyny in the gym to silencing doubters on her way to becoming the undisputed queen in boxing.

She retires with three world records: the longest-reigning female world champion (over a decade and 154 days), the lengthiest period as an undisputed champion (five years and 337 days) and the lengthiest undefeated run by a female champion (36 bouts).

However, Braekhus' proudest feat cannot be quantified by statistics or titles.

Born in Colombia, Made in Norway

Braekhus was taken in from an orphanage in Cartagena when she was two and was raised in Sandviken, a district of Bergen.

As a teenager, she turned to martial arts, despite her parents' objections, prior to transitioning to the sweet science in her early twenties.

She was defeated in only five out of 80 amateur fights before deciding to turn professional - but that ambition was hindered due to the reality that pro boxing in Norway had been outlawed since 1981, punishable by up to three months in prison.

Undeterred, she moved to Germany in her twenties to build a career abroad. She stood as the only woman in the gym.

"In our promotional company we had dozens of fighters, all male and just one female. And I had to be every single day superior to every male boxer," she remembers. "Back then there was a belief that women couldn't box or sell boxing without having to undress to appear attractive. A lot of women were definitely pressured into that."

Even as she made her name in Germany, the dream of competing in Norway always stayed with her.

Week after week, she practiced, then traveled back on Fridays to consult with politicians and journalists before returning to training camp.

"It required immense effort," she says. "I was defending global titles to defend too. That's when the discipline comes in - I remained highly concentrated."

Public opinion across Norway opposed her at first. "At the start there was significant opposition to boxing," she clarifies. "So many myths - that it was senseless brutality, that it would harm young people. My job was to present the facts."

The Bout That Changed Boxing in Norway

The pivotal moment occurred in September 2014, when Braekhus fought Ivana Habazin in Denmark for the chance to be the inaugural unified female world champ.

Each match brings stress, yet this bout was unique. For her, the future of boxing in Norway itself was at stake.

"That victory was certainly a major part of the puzzle," she notes. "If I didn't have those belts, that hope of boxing at home was gone. Unfortunately, that's the reality."

The people started noticing the dedication, the mentality, the hard work.

"Norway loves a winner," she states, "and when I became undisputed, they saw the individual beyond the boxing gloves."

A quarter year later, parliament voted 54 to 48 to repeal the ban.

She was present. "I was in the basement," she recalls. "It was close, extremely close until the last vote. Then we received the decision. We went up and had some cake. That was pretty incredible."

In 2016, she topped the bill on home soil. The venue was sold out. The nation's leader was among the spectators.

In her 19th consecutive title bout, Braekhus defeated Anne Sophie Mathis in two rounds to stay undisputed and advance to 29-0.

It was the return like no other.

Retirement is 'Like a Break-up'

Although trailblazers like Jane Couch, the inaugural licensed woman boxer in the UK, battled to establish female boxing recognized, Cecilia took a distinct route - she reintroduced boxing back to an entire nation.

Now she realizes the moment has come to retire. She feels no remorse and is excited to witnessing the growth of women's boxing, as counterparts like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor receive substantial earnings.

"I feel immense pride in my journey so I wouldn't wish anything different," she affirms. "We didn't get anything back [early in my career], it was just the love of boxing. The standard was extremely high and I feel proud reflecting on the past. Amazing. All boxers worked, none were wealthy."

"I've been in both camps now," she continues. "I've been there when the road was paved and I've been here now when it's largely prepared for the next generation."

Already bound for boxing's Hall of Fame, she desires one final statement this weekend: to retire as a dual-weight world champion.

"Two championships on the line. My opponent is going to fight until the finish. This must establish the benchmark for all I've endured," she declares.

And after that? "I'm nearly finished," she admits. "I wish to explore the globe beyond the ring too while I remain youthful and healthy."

Yet the change won't be simple.

"Initially, I'll take a break," she remarks. "It's like a break-up - {you just need|you require