Shields crowned first women’s undisputed heavyweight champion

FLINT: Claressa Shields showed out on Sunday night, defeating Danielle Perkins to become the first ever undisputed heavyweight champion in women’s boxing.

The victory, which came via unanimous decision, was the 16th win of Shields’ illustrious career. While she was already a five-division champion after winning the WBC and WBF heavyweight belts in July of last year, the victory marked the third division in which Shields has won all four major world titles, including the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts. She is now the only boxer, male or female, to have done so.

Shields was close to getting the fourth knockout of her career, as she knocked down Perkins with a vicious counter right with seconds left in the final round. Perkins gloves immediately fell to the canvas, but she kept herself from completely collapsing. Regardless, it was an emphatic note to end the fight on.

The three judges scored the fight 100-89, 97-92, and 99-90, illustrating just how dominant Shields was from the first bell to the last. However, Shields still gave praise to Perkins, who was undefeated before the bout.

Also read: Shocking NBA trade: Lakers land Luka Doncic, Mavs get Anthony Davis

“That girl was strong as hell. She was strong, she was definitely a problem. Like I said, my experience and my skills got me over it.”

Shields also explained where she gets her drive from.

“I think that I didn’t get my flowers for so many years so even though I’m getting them now, it’s like that’s not enough. I deserve more than that. I’m fighting for a million dollars. I’m supposed to be getting paid five. This ain’t it. So, for me, that’s where the fire comes from.”

Next on the docket for Shields seems to be a rematch with Hanna Gabriels, as the newly crowned undisputed champion set her sights on a rematch with the Costa Rican she beat in 2018 to win the IBF and WBA middleweight titles. Gabriels last fought in 2021 when she beat Martha Gaytan for the WBC heavyweight championship.

Also read: British-Pakistani boxer, Adam Azim, thrashes Sergey Lipinets