ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over Christina Hammer in a middleweight championship bout and one of the most anticipated fights in womens boxing history.
Shields (9-0) held three versions of the 160-pound title and snagged Hammers slice of the division championship to unify the championships Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall. The charismatic Shields had a few thousand fans on their feet — and A-listers rooting her on from home — to give herself plenty of gold to strap around her waist to go with the medals around her neck.
“I am the greatest woman of all time. Give me that,” Shields said in the ring. “Womens boxing, were on fire. I cant wait to see the next super fight.”
Odds are shell be in it.
Undefeated and undisputed, Shield won 98-91 on two cards and 98-92 on the other, and was simply dominant over 10 two-minute rounds.
“I feel like Im dreaming,” Shields said. “I knew I could hurt her. I thought I finished her around round 8. I was so pumped.”
Hammers mouthpiece went flying in the eighth round when she absorbed more blows to the face that left her reeling and with about no chance for a comeback.
Shields, out of Flint, Michigan, nailed Hammer with a flurry of shots to close the eighth round and had the fans howling for “T-Rex!”
Shields won Olympic gold in 2012 at London and 2016 in Rio, and hasnt lost since 2012 as an amateur. Shields has made it a mission to revolutionize womens boxing the way Ronda Rousey became a mainstream star in mixed martial arts. There have been more accomplished female fighters — Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker top the short list — but no bout has quite matched this one in anticipation or potential historic significance.
Martin, who fought on cards headlined by Mike Tyson other heavyweight champions, was in attendance and Oscar winning actress Halle Berry tweeted her support .
“Tonight is one of the biggest fights in womens middleweight boxing – Im so proud that this moment has arrived, and am even more proud of my dear sweet STRONG friend @Claressashields! Make some history tonight, CHAMP!!” Berry tweeted.
Oscar nominee Rosie Perez was also watching the bout.
“That right hand Shields. Needs to… Ooh! Nice body by Shields. Good scrap,” she tweeted.
Her blue ponytail bouncing off her nRead More – Source
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over Christina Hammer in a middleweight championship bout and one of the most anticipated fights in womens boxing history.
Shields (9-0) held three versions of the 160-pound title and snagged Hammers slice of the division championship to unify the championships Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall. The charismatic Shields had a few thousand fans on their feet — and A-listers rooting her on from home — to give herself plenty of gold to strap around her waist to go with the medals around her neck.
“I am the greatest woman of all time. Give me that,” Shields said in the ring. “Womens boxing, were on fire. I cant wait to see the next super fight.”
Odds are shell be in it.
Undefeated and undisputed, Shield won 98-91 on two cards and 98-92 on the other, and was simply dominant over 10 two-minute rounds.
“I feel like Im dreaming,” Shields said. “I knew I could hurt her. I thought I finished her around round 8. I was so pumped.”
Hammers mouthpiece went flying in the eighth round when she absorbed more blows to the face that left her reeling and with about no chance for a comeback.
Shields, out of Flint, Michigan, nailed Hammer with a flurry of shots to close the eighth round and had the fans howling for “T-Rex!”
Shields won Olympic gold in 2012 at London and 2016 in Rio, and hasnt lost since 2012 as an amateur. Shields has made it a mission to revolutionize womens boxing the way Ronda Rousey became a mainstream star in mixed martial arts. There have been more accomplished female fighters — Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker top the short list — but no bout has quite matched this one in anticipation or potential historic significance.
Martin, who fought on cards headlined by Mike Tyson other heavyweight champions, was in attendance and Oscar winning actress Halle Berry tweeted her support .
“Tonight is one of the biggest fights in womens middleweight boxing – Im so proud that this moment has arrived, and am even more proud of my dear sweet STRONG friend @Claressashields! Make some history tonight, CHAMP!!” Berry tweeted.
Oscar nominee Rosie Perez was also watching the bout.
“That right hand Shields. Needs to… Ooh! Nice body by Shields. Good scrap,” she tweeted.
Her blue ponytail bouncing off her nRead More – Source
