Boxing Mar 16, 2026

Claressa Shields never expected to become heavyweight champion but it has secured her place 'amongst the greats'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Claressa Shields never expected to become heavyweight champion but it has secured her place 'amongst the greats'

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 Your Site.

"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."

Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper live on Your Site on Sunday April 5.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Oleksandr Usyk: What makes unified heavyweight world champion so good and can kickboxer Rico Verhoeven beat him?

Oleksandr Usyk: What makes unified heavyweight world champion so good and can kickboxer Rico Verhoeven beat him?

Rico Verhoeven is taking on the trickiest challenge in heavyweight boxing, fighting Oleksandr Usyk, and trying to do it when transitioning from anothe...

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Terri Harper on facing hate: 'Just be your authentic self. Don’t change who you are'

Professional boxing can be a hostile environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.But Terri Harper, a multi-weight world champion, looks to help wh...

Oleksandr Usyk versus Rico Verhoeven? 'Not a genuine challenge,' says 'disappointed' Fabio Wardley

Oleksandr Usyk versus Rico Verhoeven? 'Not a genuine challenge,' says 'disappointed' Fabio Wardley

Fabio Wardley has criticised the prospect of Oleksandr Usyk fighting elite kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.Verhoeven is widely regarded as the best heavyweig...

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao set for professional rematch in Las Vegas in September

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao set for professional rematch in Las Vegas in September

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to renew their rivalry in a stunning rematch in Las Vegas this September.Mayweather, 48, will officially c...

Conor Benn targets Ryan Garcia and world title, rules out Floyd Mayweather bout but would box Chris Eubank Jr at 168lbs

Conor Benn targets Ryan Garcia and world title, rules out Floyd Mayweather bout but would box Chris Eubank Jr at 168lbs

Conor Benn will target a “mega-fight” with Ryan Garcia after signing with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, but also revealed he is open to another bout with...

Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian? WBC backs unification bout between cruiserweight champion and star IBF titlist

Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian? WBC backs unification bout between cruiserweight champion and star IBF titlist

Jai Opetaia could meet Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight world title unification with the WBC's backing.Opetaia is the unbeaten IBF world champion and...