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Not many athletes have earned a nickname as perfect as Cecilia 'The Pioneer' the boxer.

She stands as the pioneering female in history to hold every major title, the inaugural to lead a pro event in Norway and a fighter whose influence contributed to ending a three-decade prohibition on boxing - for all men and women - in her homeland.

This weekend in Lillestrom, this 44-year-old pioneer will enter the ring for the last time to face the Slovenian opponent Ema Kozin for both the WBC and WBO light-middleweight division titles.

Win, lose, or draw, Braekhus will sign off her professional journey which transformed both women's boxing and sports in Norway.

"The final bell had to be on Norwegian soil," she states. "The nation and its citizens who took down a ban against pro boxing enabling me to return home - they were the backbone of my career."

Hailing from Colombia and raised in Norway, Cecilia devoted her career to overcoming obstacles - from fighting sexism during training to silencing doubters along her path to becoming the undisputed queen in boxing.

She will leave three world records: the most enduring female world champion (11 years and 154 days), the lengthiest period as an undisputed champion (half a decade and 337 days) and the longest unbeaten streak by a female champion (36 bouts).

However, her most cherished achievement cannot be quantified by statistics or titles.

Born in Colombia, Norwegian Raised

Cecilia was adopted from an orphanage in Cartagena when she was two and grew up in Sandviken, a district in Bergen.

In her early teens, she turned to kickboxing, against her parents' wishes, prior to transitioning to boxing at 21.

She was defeated in only five out of 80 amateur fights before deciding to turn professional - yet that goal was complicated due to the reality that professional boxing within Norway was banned since 1981, with penalties of as much as three months in prison.

Undeterred, she moved to Germany in her twenties to build a career abroad. She was the sole female in the gym.

"In our promotional company there were dozens of fighters, all male and one woman. I needed to be every single day better than all the guys," she remembers. "Back then there was this idea that women couldn't box or promote the sport without having to undress to appear attractive. A lot of women faced pressure into that."

Although she made her name in Germany, the aspiration of fighting in Norway never left her.

Week after week, she practiced, then traveled back each Friday to meet politicians and reporters before heading back into camp.

"It was a lot of work," she explains. "I was defending global titles as well. But that's where discipline was crucial - I was just laser-focused."

Public opinion across Norway opposed her initially. "In the beginning there was significant opposition to boxing," she clarifies. "So many myths - that boxing was mindless violence, that it would harm young people. My job was to present the truth."

The Fight That Transformed Boxing in Norway

The turning point came in September 2014, when Braekhus fought Ivana Habazin in Copenhagen for the opportunity to become the first undisputed women's world champion.

Every fight carries pressure, yet this bout was unique. For Braekhus, the destiny of boxing in Norway hung in the balance.

"That victory was certainly a major part of the puzzle," she says. "If I didn't have those titles, that dream of boxing at home was gone. Unfortunately, that's just how it is."

The public began to see the discipline, the mindset, the training.

"Norway admires champions," Braekhus says, "and after I achieved undisputed, they saw the person beyond the boxing gloves."

Three months later, parliament voted 54 to 48 to repeal the ban.

She was there. "I was in the basement," she says. "It was tight, extremely close until the final count. And then we got the decision. We went up and had some cake. That was truly amazing."

Two years later, she headlined on home soil. The venue was packed. The nation's leader was among the spectators.

During her 19th straight title bout, the champion stopped Anne Sophie Mathis in two rounds to retain her unified status and improve to 29 wins and no losses.

It represented the homecoming of all homecomings.

Retirement is 'Similar to a Separation'

Although trailblazers such as Jane Couch, the first licensed woman boxer in the United Kingdom, battled to establish women's boxing visible, Braekhus carved a different path - she brought the sport to an entire nation.

Now she realizes it is time to retire. She has no regrets and looks forward to witnessing the expansion of female boxing, as counterparts such as Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor receive substantial pay days.

"I am super proud of my story thus I wouldn't desire any alternative," Braekhus says. "We received anything back [early in my career], it was just the love of boxing. The level was extremely high and I feel proud reflecting on the past. Amazing. Everyone had jobs, none were wealthy."

"I've experienced both camps now," she adds. "I was present when the path was laid and I am here now when it's pretty much paved for future fighters."

Already bound for boxing's Hall of Fame, Braekhus desires one final statement on Saturday: to bow out as a dual-weight global titleholder.

"Two championships on the line. My opponent will battle to the end. This has to set the benchmark for all I've endured," she says.

What comes next? "I'm nearly finished," she admits. "I want to see the globe beyond the ring as well while I'm still young and fit."

Yet the change will not be easy.

"First I will take some time away," Braekhus adds. "It resembles a split - {you just need|you require