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Boxing’s “First Lady” training in Norwayne

By Courtney Conover
It’s as if the earliest years of Ce-
cilia Braekhus’s childhood prepared
her for her life’s profession.
“I was born in Columbia and grew
up in a foster home before I was
adopted in Norway,” explains
Braekhus, a world-class boxer who
reigned as the undisputed female
welterweight champion from 2014 to
2020. “I think when your first years
in life happen to be quite the fight
and struggle, it definitely prepares
you for being a fighter throughout
your life.”
Not that the remainder of her
childhood would totally be defined
by hardship and strife, however.
It was the opposite.
“[I lived] in a very quiet, nice area World Champions Milton McCrory, Cecilia Braekhus and Johnathon Banks talk to the amateur boxers at the Kronk Gym.
in the city of Bergen, and I had a very Records awarded her three distin- soul of Norway.” that discipline and focus indeed pay
privileged upbringing,” says guished recognitions: the longest The chances are good that when off.
Braekhus, who is fluent in Norwe- reigning female boxing champion, Braekhus takes her next trip Says Braekhus, “I think it’s im-
gian, German, and English. “It was a the longest reign as a four-belt undis- through the mountains, she’ll do so portant that women and girls know
contrast to my first years in life.” puted boxing champion, and the with another win under her belt. that we see the hard work. I just
Her relocation to Norway would most bouts undefeated by a female Braekhus’s professional journey want to say, ‘Take your place.’ It is
afford Braekhus the opportunity to world champion boxer. thus far is yet another example for your rightful place. Don’t let anyone
pinpoint her calling. Currently, Braekhus is training in young athletes—particularly female— tell you something else.”
She started kickboxing at age 14, Metro Detroit—and here in the City
and after she became a world cham- of Wayne—for an upcoming fight this
pion in the sport, she looked around November. In the meantime,
and wondered what was next. Braekhus will remain ready for com-
Enter boxing. petition under the direction of
In her early twenties, she moved Johnathon Banks, the renowned
to Germany to pursue boxing and boxing trainer who has worked with
signed with the country’s biggest pro- a variety of well-known talents, in-
motional company, Sauerland Pro- cluding two-time world heavyweight
motions. champion Wladimir Klitschko.
“I was the first girl there,” “For years, I traveled with the Kl-
Braekhus, 41, remembers. “I was itschko team—and trained with
the only girl there.” them in their camps—all over the
At the time, the company repre- world, from Miami to Austria,” says
sented 15 male fighters, and the ma- Braekhus. “It was an amazing expe-
jority of the company’s staff was rience.”
male as well. So, the company de- And this isn’t the first time boxing
cided to honor Braekhus’s presence has led Braekhus to Detroit.
with an apropos nickname. She says, “Johnathon Banks is an
“They started calling me ‘The incredible trainer, and when he in-
First Lady,’” she says. vited me to come to Detroit and train
The name stuck. And in keeping many years ago, I, of course, said
with her nickname, Braekhus would yes. And now I’m back.”
go on to amass a collection of titles Following November’s match,
and accolades. Braekhus hopes to return home to
She’s the first woman in any Norway in time for Christmas. And
weight class to hold World Boxing As- when in Norway, she will do as Nor-
sociation (WBA), World Boxing Coun- wegians do.
cil (WBC), International Boxing “Everybody goes hiking on Sun-
Federation (IBF), and World Boxing day morning…everyone,” she says. It
Organization (WBO) titles simultane- doesn’t matter if it rains, snows, or
ously. She’s one of only 11 boxers in whatever. Every child in Norway
history—female or male—to hold all grows up this way. It’s a country of
four major world titles simultane- mountains—with fresh air and beau-
ously. And in 2018 Guinness World tiful nature. Hiking on Sunday is the
8 · November 2022 · The Wayne Dispatch