Boxing Feb 23, 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

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields deserves to be recognised as the No 1 fighter in woman's boxing ahead of Katie Taylor, believes promoter Dmitriy Salita. Shields just...

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed...

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn’s decision to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will have "really hurt" promoter Eddie Hearn but it’s a "business move", says Your Site expert...

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...

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios on Saturday night to win by unanimous decision and capture the WBC welterweight championship.Garcia (25-2, 20 knoc...

Leigh Wood defeats Josh Warrington as Sandy Ryan becomes two-weight world champion after beating Karla Ramos Zamora

Leigh Wood defeats Josh Warrington as Sandy Ryan becomes two-weight world champion after beating Karla Ramos Zamora

Leigh Wood took a wide unanimous decision victory over Josh Warrington in front of his hometown supporters at the Nottingham Arena.The former world ch...