Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields | |
---|---|
Shields with her Olympic gold medal in 2012 | |
Born |
Claressa Maria Shields[1] March 17, 1995 Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
Other names | T-Rex |
Residence | Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2] |
Division | |
Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Trainer | John David Jackson |
Years active | 2016–present |
Professional boxing record | |
Total | 6 |
Wins | 6 |
By knockout | 2 |
Losses | 0 |
Amateur record | |
Total | 78 |
Wins | 77 |
By knockout | 19 |
Losses | 1 |
Other information | |
Boxing record from BoxRec | |
Claressa Maria Shields (born March 17, 1995)[2] is an American professional boxer. She is currently the unified world champion in two weight classes, holding the WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles since 2017, as well as the IBF and WBA female middleweight titles since June 2018. Shields holds the Women Boxing Archive Network super middleweight title since January 2018.
Shields is also an Olympic gold medalist, having won as an amateur the women's middleweight division at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, making her the first American boxer—female or male—to win consecutive Olympic medals.[3] Shields was the youngest boxer at the February 2012 U.S. Olympic trials, winning the event in the 165 lb (75 kg) middleweight division.[4][5][6] In May, she qualified for the 2012 games, the first year in which women's boxing was an Olympic event,[7] and went on to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.[8]
Early life
Shields was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where she was a high school junior in May 2012.[4][5] She was introduced to boxing by her father, Bo Shields, who had boxed in underground leagues.[5][9] Bo was in prison from the time Shields was two years old, and released when she was nine. After his release he talked to her about boxer Laila Ali, piquing her interest in the sport,[10] although Bo nevertheless believed that boxing was a men's sport and refused to allow Shields to pursue it until she was eleven.[5][9][11] At that time she began boxing, often to the dismay of the Beary-Hands, at Berston Field House in Flint, where she met her coach and trainer, Jason Crutchfield.[9] Shields credits her grandmother with encouraging her to not accept restrictions based on her gender.[5]
Amateur career
After winning two Junior Olympic championships Shields competed in her first open-division tournament, the National Police Athletic League Championships 2011; she won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter as well as qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials.[2][12] At the trials in she defeated the reigning national champion, Franchon Crews, the 2010 world champion, Andrecia Wasson, and Pittsburgh's Tika Hemingway to win the middleweight class.[2][5] In April 2011, she won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario against three-time defending world champion Mary Spencer of Canada; she held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point.[5][9][13]
Following Shields' victory at the U.S. Olympic trials, it was initially reported that she would need only a top-8 finish at the 2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, in order to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.[6] On May 10, the day after the contest began but before Shields' first bout, a change to the rules was announced that meant Shields would need to place in the top two from the (North, Central, and South) American Boxing Confederation region of AIBA (AMBC).[14] Shields won her first round, but suffered an upset loss in the second round on May 13 to Savannah Marshall of England, bringing Shields' record to 26-1.[15] Her chances for qualification thus depended on Marshall's subsequent performance; after Marshall advanced to the middleweight finals on May 18, it was announced that Shields had earned an Olympic berth. She won a gold medal in the end, after beating Russian boxer Nadezda Torlopova 19–12.[7][16]
In 2014, Shields won the World Championships[17] and the following year, she became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American games.[18] Shields won gold at the 2016 AMBC Olympic Qualifying tournament in Argentina.[19] Later that year, she won the gold at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics by defeating Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands, the only American gold medalist in the team, and awarded the inaugural women's division of the Val Barker Trophy at the competition.[20]
Her amateur boxing record was 77 wins (19 by knockout[15][21][22]) and 1 loss.[23][24]
Professional career
In November 2016, Shields officially went pro. She won her first match, against Franchon Crews, by unanimous decision.[25]
On March 10, 2017 she faced Szilvia Szabados for the North American Boxing Federation middleweight title, and won. This was the main event on ShoBox, with a regional title fight between Antonio Nieves and Nikolai Potapov serving as the co-main event.[26] It was the first time a women's boxing bout was the main event on a United States premium network card.[27][28]
On June 16, 2017, Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl," facing Sydney LeBlanc in her first scheduled eight-round bout. LeBlanc signed on with three days notice, after Mery Rancier dropped out due to visa issues.[29][30] Shields won the bout by decision after all eight rounds.[31]
On August 4, 2017, Shields defeated defending champ Nikki Adler in Detroit for the WBC super-middleweight belt and the vacant IBF super-middleweight belt. The fight was on Showtime.[32]
On January 12, 2018, Shields retained her WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles, and won the WBAN Super Middleweight title by defeating 17-0 Tori Nelson. It was Shields' first time going all 10 rounds in her professional career.[33][34][35]
On June 22, 2018, Shields defeated Hanna Gabriels by unanimous decision, winning the vacant World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation middleweight belts. During Round 1, she experienced the first knock down of her professional career. She dropped down from 168 pounds to 160 for the fight. This was her first fight with trainer John David Jackson, having worked with Jason Crutchfield for the previous 5.[36][37]
Personal life
While growing up in Flint, Michigan, Shields was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriends. Shields was baptized at age 13 (two years after she began boxing) and began attending a local church. She found strength in her Christian faith and eventually left home.[38]
Shields attempted to adopt her cousin's daughter in 2014.[39]
Shields is an ambassador for Up2Us Sports, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved youth by providing them with coaches trained in positive youth development.[40]
In an interview on the Scoop B Radio podcast, Shields shared with Brandon Scoop B Robinson that childhood hero, Serena Williams ignored her at the Olympics causing Shields to block the tennis legend on Instagram.[41]
Filmography
Shields is the subject of the 2015 documentary "T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold."[42][43] In 2016 Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast, which holds Olympic broadcast rights in the United States, acquired the rights to produce a film about her life story.[44] Barry Jenkins is the screenwriter.[45]
Shields will be acting in the Susan Seidelman-directed film Punch Me.[46]
In 2018, Shields acted in a Walmart ad directed by Dee Rees.[47][48]
Awards
In 2017, Shields won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award for "Biggest Powerhouse." [49] In 2018, Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.[50]
Professional boxing record
Professional record summary | ||
6 fights | 6 wins | 0 losses |
By knockout | 2 | 0 |
By decision | 4 | 0 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | – (10) | Nov 17, 2018 | Defending WBA and IBF female middleweight titles | ||
6 | Win | 6–0 | UD | 10 | Jun 22, 2018 | Won vacant WBA and inaugural IBF female middleweight titles | ||
5 | Win | 5–0 | UD | 10 | Jan 12, 2018 | Retained WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles; Won WBAN super middleweight title | ||
4 | Win | 4–0 | TKO | 5 (10), 1:34 | Aug 4, 2017 | Won WBC and vacant inaugural IBF female super middleweight titles | ||
3 | Win | 3–0 | UD | 8 | Jun 16, 2017 | Won vacant WBC Silver female super middleweight title | ||
2 | Win | 2–0 | TKO | 4 (6), 1:30 | Mar 10, 2017 | Won vacant NABF female middleweight title | ||
1 | Win | 1–0 | UD | 4 | Nov 19, 2016 |
References
- ↑ Chappell, Bill. "Claressa Maria Shields of the U.S. celebrates her gold medal win over Nouchka Fontijn" npr.org, August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 "Boxer Claressa Shields could be Olympic teen star." Associated Press, February 17, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Claressa Shields Successfully Defends Her Olympic Title".
- 1 2 O'Riordan, Ian. "Women's boxing – in a New Yorker state of mind." IrishTimes.com, May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Claressa Shields determined to make London Olympics." USA Today, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- 1 2 Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Flint boxer Claressa Shields takes next step toward Olympics on Friday." Detroit Free Press, May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- 1 2 Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Flint boxer Claressa Shields, 17, qualifies for Olympics." Detroit Free Press, May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ↑ Maese, Rick (August 12, 2012). "Claressa Shields wins only gold medal for U.S. boxing at London Olympics, and the first by a woman". Washington Post. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 Parish, Christopher. "A fighting chance." ESPNHS.com, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Claressa Shields: From poverty & abuse to boxing greatness". BBC Sport. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Straight Out of Flint: Girl Boxer Aims for Olympics." NPR, February 27, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ Blanchette, John. "Spotlight finds teen." The Spokesman-Review, February 14, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Flint teen aims to be 1 of the first female boxers at Olympics." WDIV, April 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Flint boxer Claressa Shields' path to Olympics changes course." Detroit Free Press, May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- 1 2 Woodyard, Eric. "First amateur loss frustrates Flint boxer Claressa Shields, she expected a victory." Flint Journal, May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Olympics boxing: Claressa Shields takes middleweight gold for USA". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ↑ Zaccardi, Nick (November 20, 2014). "Claressa Shields wins first World Championships bout in 11 seconds (video)".
- ↑ "Flint's Claressa Shields to serve as flag bearer at Pan-Am close".
- ↑ "Flint boxer Claressa Shields wins gold at 2016 Americas Qualifier in Argentina".
- ↑ "Golden again! Flint's Claressa Shields defends Olympic boxing title". Freep.com. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
- ↑ Zaccardi, Nick (July 24, 2015). "Claressa Shields: I would fight Ronda Rousey".
- ↑ "Hundreds attend Flint premiere of Claressa Shields 'T-Rex' documentary".
- ↑ http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/claressa-shields-beginning-397052
- ↑ "Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future".
- ↑ Coppinger, Mike (2016-11-19). "Flint's Claressa Shields wins easily in pro boxing debut in Las Vegas". Freep.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ↑ Baca, Michael (2014-06-20). "Antonio Nieves and Nikolai Potapov to clash March 10, on 'ShoBox' - The Ring". Ringtv.com. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
- ↑ 12:33 PM ET. "Claressa Shields returns home to headline ShoBox event". Espn.com. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
- ↑ http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/03/11/claressa-shields-boxing-title-mgm-grand-detroit-showtime/99048486/
- ↑ http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19635361/two-olympic-gold-medalist-claressa-shields-face-sydney-leblanc
- ↑ http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19321326/claressa-shields-fight-mery-rancier-june-detroit
- ↑ http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/06/17/flints-claressa-shields-claims-wbc-silver-belt-detroit-brawl/405845001/
- ↑ http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-sn-boxing-claressa-shields-nikki-adler-showtime-20170628-story.html
- ↑ http://nbc25news.com/sports/content/claressa-shields-goes-10-rounds-for-the-first-time-but-still-dominates
- ↑ http://www.womenboxing.com/NEWS2018/news011318shields-wins-wban-super-middleweight-title.htm
- ↑ http://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/01/wban-belt-awarded-winner-shields-nelson-showdown-world-super-middleweight-championship-live-showtime/
- ↑ https://fightnews.com/claressa-shields-training-camp-notes/22598
- ↑ https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/06/23/claressa-shields-boxing-hanna-gabriels/727757002/
- ↑ "Four to watch: With faith, these Olympians run the races set before them". October 6, 2016.
- ↑ "With her life in order, Claressa Shields has eye on second Olympic gold in Rio". World Magazine. October 25, 2015. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Documentary about Claressa Shields comes to Flint Institute of Arts". ABC 12. August 4, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ↑ Martinez, Jose. "Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Boxer Claressa Shields Explains 'Falling Out' With Serena Williams". Complex. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ↑ "T-Rex". June 24, 2016 – via IMDb.
- ↑ "T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold - Documentary about Olympic Boxer Claressa Shields - Independent Lens - PBS".
- ↑ Niyo, John (3 August 2016). "Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future". The Detroit News. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ↑ http://deadline.com/2016/10/barry-jenkins-claressa-t-rex-shields-movie-universal-pictures-moonlight-1201832804/
- ↑ Eric Woodyard | ewoodyar@mlive.com. "Looking ahead to what's next for Claressa Shields". MLive.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ↑ http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/03/flints_claressa_shields_takes.html
- ↑ https://thegrio.com/2018/03/02/365078/
- ↑ http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2017/07/17/news/claressa-shields-wins-nickelodeon-kids-choice-sports-award-for-biggest-powerhouse
- ↑ https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Alumni/Features/2018/August/06/USA-Boxing-Alumni-Association-announces-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2018
Further reading
- Levy, Ariel (May 7, 2012). "A Ring of One's Own". The New Yorker. New York: Condé Nast.
External links
- Professional boxing record for Claressa Shields from BoxRec
- Claressa Shields profile at TeamUSA
- America's Boxing Women Aim for the Olympics at The New York Times
- T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold on IMDb
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Regional boxing titles | ||||
New title | NABF female middleweight champion March 10, 2017 – August 2017 Vacated |
Vacant | ||
WBC Silver female super middleweight champion June 16, 2017 – August 4, 2017 Won world title | ||||
World boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Nikki Adler |
WBC female super middleweight champion August 4, 2017 – present |
Incumbent | ||
Inaugural champion | IBF female super middleweight champion August 4, 2017 – present | |||
IBF female middleweight champion June 22, 2018 – present | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Teresa Perozzi |
WBA female middleweight champion June 22, 2018 – present |