JURASSIC WORLD
‘T-rex’ Shields defends her pair of global titles against Nelson, writes
THE fierce expression on her face should be enough to tell you Claressa
Shields is all business. So should her ring moniker – “T-rex” – and the two Olympic gold medals she has to her name. But, if that somehow doesn’t do the trick, and you still need persuading, look no further than her four pro fights to date (all wins, two stoppages), the calibre of her opposition, and the fact she has already claimed two world titles (the WBC and IBF super-middleweight belts), as proof Shields, still just 22 years of age, is here to make short work of her opponents and create a legacy that is long-lasting.
Shields’ adversary this Friday ( January 12), her fifth as a pro, is the undefeated
Tori Nelson, 17-0-3 (2), a fellow American who has travelled the 10-round distance no less than 12 times. They meet at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, and Shields, despite Nelson’s record and seasoning, starts as a considerable favourite to retain her titles.
“Sho Nuff” Nelson has been a pro seven years now and has competed as a welterweight, superwelterweight, middleweight and supermiddleweight. She began her career with a four-round draw against Shelly Seivert and then went on to draw back-to-back world middleweight title fights with Teresa Perozzi. Other than that, though, Nelson has been a winner, often going the distance to achieve victory, and has picked up the WIBA (Women’s International Boxing Association) welterweight, middleweight and super-middleweight straps, as well as the UBF (Universal Boxing Federation) welterweight, superwelterweight, middleweight and super-middleweight titles. While you’re entitled to question the authenticity of those belts, what can’t be disputed is