Claressa Shields never expected to become heavyweight champion but it has secured her place ‘amongst the greats’
Even Claressa Shields never expected it of herself, but she became the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in women’s boxing last year to establish herself as the sport’s ultimate trailblazer; She defends against familiar rival Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit on Sunday
Claressa Shields has secured her place in boxing history.
A decade ago she became the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic gold medals.
As a professional she became an undisputed world champion at super-welter and middleweight (twice).
Last year Shields established herself as the ultimate trailblazer when she became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in women’s boxing.
In that regard she has even surprised herself. “Heavyweight was never in my plans,” Shields told Sky Sports.
“Being at that weight class, I just have to keep showing my skill, keep showing my speed, keep showing my power.
“I feel like it’s my job to show that all the weight classes of women’s boxing are entertaining. That we all got skills, from heavyweight to flyweight, strawweight, we all got hands, we all can fight, we all have skill.”
Her status as the undisputed heavyweight champion is a statement in itself.
“Adding undisputed heavyweight world champion to Claressa Shields’ name has definitely broadened my brand. I can say I’m an American heavyweight champion and when you think of American heavyweight champion you think of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield amongst those greats. Just to have my name added to that on the women’s side it’s still just really big and really great,” she said.
“And to be the first heavyweight undisputed women’s champion in boxing history. I think that I was already Black history enough. Now I’m just history all over, with that. I’m with the likes of Jack Johnson now, who was the first Black heavyweight champion
“So I’m the first Black women’s heavyweight champion in boxing. I really embrace that and I want to keep defending my titles and I’m just wearing it strong, you know how I should.”
Shields beat her great rival from the amateurs, Savannah Marshall in an undisputed middleweight title fight. At heavyweight she handed first defeats to the previously unbeaten Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, Danielle Perkins and Lani Daniels.
On Sunday in Detroit she’ll rematch Franchon Crews-Dezurn, whom Shields beat when they were both making their professional debuts in 2016.
“She’s top at her weight class, at 168lbs. She beat the heavy hitter Shadasia Green, who everybody said is the queen of that division,” Shields said.
“I know she’s going to come, she’s going to bring it, she’s more familiar with me than anybody else.
“She’s a top contender and she continues to get better and she always wants to win. You know that when you fight against Franchon, you’re going to get bumps, you’re going to get bruises. You may get thrown on the ground. Franchon is a rough and rugged fighter and she’s very experienced.
“She’s still a top contender.”
But Shields added: “I’m the cream of the crop. I haven’t had any close fights so I can’t say how this fight will be.
“If I am too good for own good, I’m only going to get better. So there’s nothing I can do about that. I like winning unanimously. I like knocking girls out. I like dominating. I think it looks great on my resume. I don’t like having close fights.”
