Trailblazer of women’s boxing
SHIELDS: PROUD TO BE THE FACE OF THE EMERGING SPORT
Claressa Shields says that when she steps into the boxing ring, she is fighting not just for herself but also to elevate the profile of the sport she loves.
The American has helped put women’s boxing on the map and with victory over Ivana Habazin in Atlantic City on January 10, she would become the fastest boxer in history – male or female – to hold three divisional world titles at the same time.
Shields said she is proud to be the face of the emerging sport.
“With women’s boxing, I’m definitely the trailblazer,” said the undefeated 24-year-old, who won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
“We have some other trailblazers but I’m the one carrying the sport, taking the biggest challenges and making the most history.
“I want to be looked at not just as a great boxer but as one of the best women athletes in sports.”
The adversity Shields faced growing up in impoverished Flint, Michigan shaped her outlook on life and her boxing style, which combines a high ring IQ with devastating punching power.
“Growing up in Flint, you have to be tough mentally, physically and spiritually,” she said.
“There was never a time for weakness, ever, in Flint. You always found yourself having to to defend yourself.”
Women’s boxing effectively didn’t exist when Shields was young so she had to look outside her discipline for inspiration, which she found in a young tennis player from Compton, California.
“My role model was Serena Williams,” she said of the American 23-times Grand Slam singles champion.
“I know she’s not a boxer but the kind of legacy that she has in tennis, I want to have that in boxing. That is who I idolise.”
“I want to be at the top of my sport and be able to stand up for African Americans, stand up for women and display that strong women figure,” she said.
The biggest story in women’s combat sports heading into 2020 is a possible crossover fight between Shields and Brazilian MMA champion Amanda Nunes.
Shields said she was disappointed to hear Nunes reject a proposed two-fight deal that would see them face off inside the UFC octagon and in the boxing ring.
Nunes flatly rejected the invitation to box although she said she would fight Shields in MMA, something Shields has never done.
“I was shocked to hear her say that,” Shields said. –