Tag: Claressa Shields

Three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields re-signs with PFL in multi-year agreement

Claressa Shields will continue to pursue her goal of becoming the first simultaneous MMA and boxing champion with the PFL.

Boxing great [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag] will continue her experiment in MMA.

Shields (1-1 MMA, 1-1 PFL), a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three division boxing champion, has re-signed with the PFL in a multi-year agreement, the promotion announced Wednesday. Widely regarded as one of the best women in boxing, Shields has competed twice in MMA competition under the PFL banner, and will look to continue her career in the cage in 2024.

“The GWOAT” (The Greatest Woman of All Time), is undefeated in boxing with a 14-0 record. In 2020, she decided to begin training MMA and made her debut in 2021. At 2021 PFL 4, Shields recorded a third-round TKO over Brittney Elkin to win her first professional MMA bout.

“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” Shields said in the press release. “My goal remains unchanged: I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”

The second pro bout of Shields’ MMA career did not go in her favor, dropping a split decision to Abigail Montes. Since then, Shields has picked up three unanimous decision wins in boxing, defeating Ema Kozin, Savannah Marshall and Maricela Cornejo.

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Savannah Marshall takes Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s titles, calls out Claressa Shields

Savannah Marshall outpointed Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win the 168-pound championship and then called out Claressa Shields on Saturday.

Savannah Marshall got past an imposing American this time.

The English fighter, coming off a loss to pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields at 160 pounds, bounced back by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to take her undisputed 168-pound championship Saturday in Manchester, England.

One judge scored it a 95-95 draw but the other two had Marshall winning, 99-92 and 97-93. Boxing Junkie also had it 97-93 for Marshall, seven rounds to three.

“Sweet dreams,” a beaming Mashall said afterward. “I can’t describe how I’m feeling at the minute.”

Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) had to contend with the sublime skill set of Shields in October, when she lost a unanimous decision and her middleweight belt in London. She had to cope with brute strength against Crews-Dezurn.

The Baltimore fighter maintained pressure on Marshall the entire fight, bulling her way inside and often roughing up Marshall in a fight that quickly became an ugly combination of wrestling and boxing.

The problem for Crews-Dezurn was that she didn’t get much done when the fighters were close to one another, as they almost invariably ended up in a clinch that hard-working referee Victor Loughlin had to break up.

Meanwhile, Marshall, the better boxer of the two, did a good job of landing sharp, accurate punches when she had room to do so. She clearly landed the cleaner shots, which would account for the scoring in her favor.

Afterward, she acknowledged that she had engaged in a physically demanding fight when she was asked whether it was as hard as it looked.

“Even harder,” she said. “I think I broke my hand on her head. She’s a tough, tough woman.”

Marshall would like another tough test next: A second shot at Shields, although Shadasia Green is the new champion’s mandatory challenger in two of the four major sanctioning bodies.

Marshall made it clear multiple times before the fight on Saturday and in the ring afterward that she wants a rematch, although this time at 168 because she can no longer make 160. In fact, she said directly to Shields, who was in Manchester to support Crews-Dezurn, “Let’s get it on at 168.”

Shields hasn’t expressed eagerness to face Marshall again. However, a second fight would be lucrative and the opportunity to fight for another undisputed championship could be enticing for Shields.

Marshall’s promoter, Ben Shalom, seemed to say he would target Shields and made it clear that the American star would have to move up in weight, although Shields beat Crews-Dezurn at 168 in 2016 and held two titles in the division in 2017 and 2018.

“What’s next? I think we know,” Shalom said. “… I think it has to be at super middleweight. That’s where Savannah is the best fighter in world, we believe. That’s where the rematch has to happen.”

Savannah Marshall takes Franchon Crews-Dezurn’s titles, calls out Claressa Shields

Savannah Marshall outpointed Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win the 168-pound championship and then called out Claressa Shields on Saturday.

Savannah Marshall got past an imposing American this time.

The English fighter, coming off a loss to pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields at 160 pounds, bounced back by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to take her undisputed 168-pound championship Saturday in Manchester, England.

One judge scored it a 95-95 draw but the other two had Marshall winning, 99-92 and 97-93. Boxing Junkie also had it 97-93 for Marshall, seven rounds to three.

“Sweet dreams,” a beaming Mashall said afterward. “I can’t describe how I’m feeling at the minute.”

Marshall (13-1, 10 KOs) had to contend with the sublime skill set of Shields in October, when she lost a unanimous decision and her middleweight belt in London. She had to cope with brute strength against Crews-Dezurn.

The Baltimore fighter maintained pressure on Marshall the entire fight, bulling her way inside and often roughing up Marshall in a fight that quickly became an ugly combination of wrestling and boxing.

The problem for Crews-Dezurn was that she didn’t get much done when the fighters were close to one another, as they almost invariably ended up in a clinch that hard-working referee Victor Loughlin had to break up.

Meanwhile, Marshall, the better boxer of the two, did a good job of landing sharp, accurate punches when she had room to do so. She clearly landed the cleaner shots, which would account for the scoring in her favor.

Afterward, she acknowledged that she had engaged in a physically demanding fight when she was asked whether it was as hard as it looked.

“Even harder,” she said. “I think I broke my hand on her head. She’s a tough, tough woman.”

Marshall would like another tough test next: A second shot at Shields, although Shadasia Green is the new champion’s mandatory challenger in two of the four major sanctioning bodies.

Marshall made it clear multiple times before the fight on Saturday and in the ring afterward that she wants a rematch, although this time at 168 because she can no longer make 160. In fact, she said directly to Shields, who was in Manchester to support Crews-Dezurn, “Let’s get it on at 168.”

Shields hasn’t expressed eagerness to face Marshall again. However, a second fight would be lucrative and the opportunity to fight for another undisputed championship could be enticing for Shields.

Marshall’s promoter, Ben Shalom, seemed to say he would target Shields and made it clear that the American star would have to move up in weight, although Shields beat Crews-Dezurn at 168 in 2016 and held two titles in the division in 2017 and 2018.

“What’s next? I think we know,” Shalom said. “… I think it has to be at super middleweight. That’s where Savannah is the best fighter in world, we believe. That’s where the rematch has to happen.”

Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Savannah Marshall keep it nasty at final news conference

Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall kept it nasty at the final news conference before their fight on Saturday.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and challenger Savannah Marshall continued to jab one another ahead of their fight Saturday in Manchester, England (ESPN+).

Crews-Dezurn suggested that Marshall lost to Claressa Shields in October because she underestimated the pound-for-pound queen, a product of feeling entitled. Marshall countered by implying she lost because Shields is a great fighter and said that her current opponent is no Claressa Shields, who defeated Crews-Dezurn in 2016.

No, Crews-Dezurn and Marshall didn’t express much respect for one another Thursday at the final news conference before they meet in the ring.

“I’m not like her,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Unfortunately she got a defeat because she underestimated [Shields]. That’s what happens when you think everything is going to be given to you.

“You let somebody come into your [country], beat you, dog-walk you. You let somebody come and take something that was yours because you got complacent. That’s you, not me.”

The Baltimore fighter went on, making a reference to Marshall’s victory over Shields when they were amateurs: “You had 10 years, 10 rounds to prepare [for Shields] and couldn’t even do it. You better kiss my feet and be happy I came to the ring to give you an opportunity.

“I’m better than you, I’m more diverse than you.”

Marshall (12-1, 10 KOs) would have none of that.

“I didn’t get complacent at all,” he said. “You’re nothing like Claressa. You won’t dog-walk me at all. The reality of it is I don’t have to say anything. I’m a better fighter than you.”

She continued, pointing out that Crews-Dezurn’s relative inactivity – two fights over the past 2½ years – doesn’t reflect well on her.

“The difference between me and you is you sit about on your lazy a– waiting for opportunities,” Marshall said. “This was why you’ve boxed twice in two years.”

Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) jabbed back at Marshall by saying her resume speaks for itself.

“How can you say I sit on my lazy a– and didn’t create an opportunity when it took five minutes to introduce me [at the news conference] because I do so many things and when you’ve got hustle personified here,” he said.

“I self-manage myself. I made deals with Golden Boy and all these other promoters when you had other things handed to you.”

You get the idea. They couldn’t have been much nastier to one another two days before their fight. We’ll see whether they bring that nastiness into the ring.

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Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Savannah Marshall keep it nasty at final news conference

Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall kept it nasty at the final news conference before their fight on Saturday.

Super middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and challenger Savannah Marshall continued to jab one another ahead of their fight Saturday in Manchester, England (ESPN+).

Crews-Dezurn suggested that Marshall lost to Claressa Shields in October because she underestimated the pound-for-pound queen, a product of feeling entitled. Marshall countered by implying she lost because Shields is a great fighter and said that her current opponent is no Claressa Shields, who defeated Crews-Dezurn in 2016.

No, Crews-Dezurn and Marshall didn’t express much respect for one another Thursday at the final news conference before they meet in the ring.

“I’m not like her,” Crews-Dezurn said. “Unfortunately she got a defeat because she underestimated [Shields]. That’s what happens when you think everything is going to be given to you.

“You let somebody come into your [country], beat you, dog-walk you. You let somebody come and take something that was yours because you got complacent. That’s you, not me.”

The Baltimore fighter went on, making a reference to Marshall’s victory over Shields when they were amateurs: “You had 10 years, 10 rounds to prepare [for Shields] and couldn’t even do it. You better kiss my feet and be happy I came to the ring to give you an opportunity.

“I’m better than you, I’m more diverse than you.”

Marshall (12-1, 10 KOs) would have none of that.

“I didn’t get complacent at all,” he said. “You’re nothing like Claressa. You won’t dog-walk me at all. The reality of it is I don’t have to say anything. I’m a better fighter than you.”

She continued, pointing out that Crews-Dezurn’s relative inactivity – two fights over the past 2½ years – doesn’t reflect well on her.

“The difference between me and you is you sit about on your lazy a– waiting for opportunities,” Marshall said. “This was why you’ve boxed twice in two years.”

Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KOs) jabbed back at Marshall by saying her resume speaks for itself.

“How can you say I sit on my lazy a– and didn’t create an opportunity when it took five minutes to introduce me [at the news conference] because I do so many things and when you’ve got hustle personified here,” he said.

“I self-manage myself. I made deals with Golden Boy and all these other promoters when you had other things handed to you.”

You get the idea. They couldn’t have been much nastier to one another two days before their fight. We’ll see whether they bring that nastiness into the ring.

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Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should be satisfied with dominating victories

Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should focus less on getting knockouts and more on her dominating victories.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Claressa Shields

Shields might be wise to stop worrying about knockouts. It’s more difficult for women to deliver stoppages because of two-minute rounds, particularly against capable opponents like Maricela Cornejo. And let’s face it: Shields isn’t a big puncher. Otherwise she’d have more than two KOs in 14 fights. She’s arguably what her nickname (GWOAT) suggests, the best female boxer of all time without many stoppages. Shouldn’t that be sufficient? Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) obviously doesn’t think so. The undisputed 160-pound champion said going into her defense against Cornejo on Saturday that she has been working on her punching power, with more knockouts in mind. And she clearly tried to end the Cornejo fight early, loading up and throwing massive punches – some of them wild – intended to incapacitate Cornejo. The problem for Shields is that the challenger was durable and clever enough to absorb the punishment and survive to hear the final bell. As a result, Shields failed in a sense. She won a shutout decision but didn’t realize her stated goal of getting KO No. 3, which left her somewhat frustrated. I believe dominating, unanimous-decision victories are enough. Shields should fight like she did late in the Cornejo fight, not in the sloppy manner of the early rounds. Jab, throw combinations, unleash fierce flurries. If the knockouts come, fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Shields is great and a major attraction either way.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Shields doesn’t have a lot of great options in her immediate future. She mentioned the possibility of fighting the winner of the July 1 fight between 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall in her next fight or taking part in a “Four Queens”-style rivalry with Crew Dezurn, Marshall and Shadasia Green. The problem with that plan is that she has already beaten both Crews Dezurn and Marshall convincingly. Green is the most intriguing potential opponent even though she’s relatively unproven. The New Jersey fighter is 12-0 with 11 knockouts, albeit against second-tier opposition. The fact is the 160- and 168-pound talent pool isn’t deep. … It was nice to see big-time boxing return to Detroit, which produced Joe Louis and many other great fighters. I just hope Michigan’s Unarmed Combat Commission learned some lessons from the card on Saturday. In particular, the ending of the Ardreal Holmes–Wendy Toussaint fight was chaotic. Toussaint suffered a deep cut on his forehead as a result of a clash of heads in the eighth round. The ring doctor allowed the fight to go on but referee Gerald White decided to stop it moments after it continued. White should be applauded for taking decisive action but he should never have engaged the doctor after making his decision. The referee has the discretion to make any move he deems appropriate. I’m guessing Michigan officials will review the card and be better the next time around. … The Holmes-Toussaint result – split decision for Holmes – was immediately disputed because Toussaint seemed to control the second half of the fight and had all the momentum when it was stopped. Holmes should give Toussaint a rematch.

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Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should be satisfied with dominating victories

Weekend Review: Claressa Shields should focus less on getting knockouts and more on her dominating victories.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Claressa Shields

Shields might be wise to stop worrying about knockouts. It’s more difficult for women to deliver stoppages because of two-minute rounds, particularly against capable opponents like Maricela Cornejo. And let’s face it: Shields isn’t a big puncher. Otherwise she’d have more than two KOs in 14 fights. She’s arguably what her nickname (GWOAT) suggests, the best female boxer of all time without many stoppages. Shouldn’t that be sufficient? Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) obviously doesn’t think so. The undisputed 160-pound champion said going into her defense against Cornejo on Saturday that she has been working on her punching power, with more knockouts in mind. And she clearly tried to end the Cornejo fight early, loading up and throwing massive punches – some of them wild – intended to incapacitate Cornejo. The problem for Shields is that the challenger was durable and clever enough to absorb the punishment and survive to hear the final bell. As a result, Shields failed in a sense. She won a shutout decision but didn’t realize her stated goal of getting KO No. 3, which left her somewhat frustrated. I believe dominating, unanimous-decision victories are enough. Shields should fight like she did late in the Cornejo fight, not in the sloppy manner of the early rounds. Jab, throw combinations, unleash fierce flurries. If the knockouts come, fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Shields is great and a major attraction either way.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Shields doesn’t have a lot of great options in her immediate future. She mentioned the possibility of fighting the winner of the July 1 fight between 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall in her next fight or taking part in a “Four Queens”-style rivalry with Crew Dezurn, Marshall and Shadasia Green. The problem with that plan is that she has already beaten both Crews Dezurn and Marshall convincingly. Green is the most intriguing potential opponent even though she’s relatively unproven. The New Jersey fighter is 12-0 with 11 knockouts, albeit against second-tier opposition. The fact is the 160- and 168-pound talent pool isn’t deep. … It was nice to see big-time boxing return to Detroit, which produced Joe Louis and many other great fighters. I just hope Michigan’s Unarmed Combat Commission learned some lessons from the card on Saturday. In particular, the ending of the Ardreal Holmes–Wendy Toussaint fight was chaotic. Toussaint suffered a deep cut on his forehead as a result of a clash of heads in the eighth round. The ring doctor allowed the fight to go on but referee Gerald White decided to stop it moments after it continued. White should be applauded for taking decisive action but he should never have engaged the doctor after making his decision. The referee has the discretion to make any move he deems appropriate. I’m guessing Michigan officials will review the card and be better the next time around. … The Holmes-Toussaint result – split decision for Holmes – was immediately disputed because Toussaint seemed to control the second half of the fight and had all the momentum when it was stopped. Holmes should give Toussaint a rematch.

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Claressa Shields has to settle for shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo

Although it wasn’t the finish she wanted, Claressa Shields picked up a one-way unanimous decision win over Maricela Cornejo in Detroit.

[autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag] didn’t get her knockout but she dominated nonetheless.

The undisputed 160-pound champion defeated late replacement Maricela Cornejo by a shutout decision to retain her titles in front of her home-area fans Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The official scores were 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had it 100-90, 10 rounds to none.

Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has been working in training camp on getting the only thing missing in her career, knockouts.

She clearly tried to score one against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, unleashing single bomb and after single bomb in an effort to hurt her overmatched opponent.

And many of them landed to the head of the challenger. The problem for Shields was that Cornejo has a good chin and is clever enough to survive for 10 two-minute, holding, using her feet, whatever it took.

Cornejo didn’t run the entire fight. She actually landed some nice shots here and there. However, she spent the bulk of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.

Shields was particularly effective when she pulled back to some degree and relied more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop Cornejo.

The No. 1 female boxer pound-for-pound seemed a bit frustrated afterward but was pleased with another dominating victory.

“I won every round like I knew I could,” she said in the ring afterward. “I pressed for the knockout. … Maricela is just tough. And she has a good right hand herself. She was very smart and sturdy when I started hitting her.

“She knew how to survive. So she did a great job.”

What’s next?

Two fighters Shields has already beaten — undisputed 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — are scheduled to meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.

Shields said she plans to be on hand for the fight, the idea being she could face the winner. However, she made one thing clear: The fight won’t take place in the U.K.

“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I’ll be looking at that fight. I think I’ll go over to the U.K. and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’m down for it.”

Like boxing? Be sure to visit Boxing Junkie for all your coverage of the sweet science and follow @BoxingJunkie2 on Twitter.

Claressa Shields has to settle for shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo

Claressa Shields had to be satisfied with a shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo on Saturday in Detroit.

Claressa Shields didn’t get her knockout but she dominated nonetheless.

The undisputed 160-pound champion defeated late replacement Maricela Cornejo by a shutout decision to retain her titles in front of her home-area fans Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The official scores were 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had it 100-90, 10 rounds to none.

Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has been working in training camp on getting the only thing missing in her career, knockouts.

She clearly tried to score one against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, unleashing single bomb and after single bomb in an effort to hurt he overmatched opponent.

And many of them landed to the head of the challenger. The problem for Shields was that Cornejo has a good chin and is clever enough to survive for 10 two-minute, holding, using her feet, whatever it took.

Cornejo didn’t run the entire fight. She actually landed some nice shots here and there. However, she spent the bulk of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.

Shields was particularly effective when she pulled back to some degree and relied more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop Cornejo.

The No. 1 female boxer pound-for-pound seemed a bit frustrated afterward but was pleased with another dominating victory.

“I won every round like I knew I could,” she said in the ring afterward. “I pressed for the knockout. … Maricela is just tough. And she has a good right hand herself. She was very smart and sturdy when I started hitting her.

“She knew how to survive. So she did a great job.”

What’s next?

Two fighters Shields has already beaten — undisputed 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — are scheduled to meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.

Shields said she plans to be on hand for the fight, the idea being she could face the winner. However, she made one hting clear: The fight won’t take place in the U.K.

“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I’ll be looking at that fight. I think I’ll go over to the U.K. and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’m down for it.”

Claressa Shields has to settle for shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo

Claressa Shields had to be satisfied with a shutout decision over Maricela Cornejo on Saturday in Detroit.

Claressa Shields didn’t get her knockout but she dominated nonetheless.

The undisputed 160-pound champion defeated late replacement Maricela Cornejo by a shutout decision to retain her titles in front of her home-area fans Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The official scores were 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had it 100-90, 10 rounds to none.

Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) has been working in training camp on getting the only thing missing in her career, knockouts.

She clearly tried to score one against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, unleashing single bomb and after single bomb in an effort to hurt he overmatched opponent.

And many of them landed to the head of the challenger. The problem for Shields was that Cornejo has a good chin and is clever enough to survive for 10 two-minute, holding, using her feet, whatever it took.

Cornejo didn’t run the entire fight. She actually landed some nice shots here and there. However, she spent the bulk of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.

Shields was particularly effective when she pulled back to some degree and relied more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, it still wasn’t enough to stop Cornejo.

The No. 1 female boxer pound-for-pound seemed a bit frustrated afterward but was pleased with another dominating victory.

“I won every round like I knew I could,” she said in the ring afterward. “I pressed for the knockout. … Maricela is just tough. And she has a good right hand herself. She was very smart and sturdy when I started hitting her.

“She knew how to survive. So she did a great job.”

What’s next?

Two fighters Shields has already beaten — undisputed 168-pound champ Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — are scheduled to meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.

Shields said she plans to be on hand for the fight, the idea being she could face the winner. However, she made one hting clear: The fight won’t take place in the U.K.

“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I’ll be looking at that fight. I think I’ll go over to the U.K. and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’m down for it.”