Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields, born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, is an African-American professional boxer. She is the first boxer ever in the four-belt era to become a two-weight undisputed champion, regardless of gender. Additionally, she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has become one of the most prominent figures not only in women's boxing history but also in women's sports in general. She has even ventured into professional Mixed Martial Arts, showcasing unprecedented success in the world of combat sports, akin to Henry Cejudo in men's sports. However, her success story is fueled by a tragic childhood marked by adversity. She had a substance-abusing mother who is now sober and experienced a traumatic event when she was raped at the age of five. Growing up in challenging circumstances, Shields often had to fight grown men as a child to defend herself and her family while her alcoholic mother would disappear for days at a time. This difficult early life still affects her today, leading to battles with depression. Shields is vocal about seeking mental health support and emphasizes the importance of therapy for managing the stress of being a celebrity. She highlights how maintaining good mental health is crucial for athletes to focus on their craft.

Boxing became the craft that transformed Shields from a troubled journey into greatness. She began training at a local gym in Flint, a city known for its tough environment, at a young age. Shields discovered boxing through her father, Bo Shields, who was an accomplished amateur boxer but was incarcerated for most of Claressa's childhood. Her natural talent and determination quickly became evident, and she stood out as a promising boxer, becoming a beacon of hope for her struggling family. Claressa turned professional in November and, in less than six months, faced Szilvia Szabados for the NABF middleweight title, winning by TKO. Shields continued her relentless pursuit of greatness, securing world titles in three weight divisions within ten professional fights.

Shields is never a slow starter, and despite conquering three weight divisions and transitioning to different sports, maintaining her speed and power has never been an issue. She excels at picking her punches strategically, avoiding unnecessary risks, and delivering precise body shots. While she may not possess an iron chin like some great boxers, her mental toughness makes her incredibly resilient, as evident in her fight against Hannah Gabriels, where she got dropped in the first round but swiftly recovered and imposed her will on Gabriels, forcing a toe-to-toe battle. Shield's left hooks carry tremendous power and make opponents wary of engaging with her, especially after experiencing her relentless style. Shields' double jab is as potent as her big right hand, without the associated risks. These powerful jabs are formidable weapons, allowing her to control the range, hurt her opponents, and set up devastating combinations. This ability forces nearly every opponent she faces to fight defensively throughout the bout.

Her defensive prowess further complicates matters for her opponents, as she can shoulder roll to deflect power punches, slip fast hands to counter with precise strikes and evade hooks to retaliate with combinations. Shields' high boxing IQ presents a considerable challenge for any opponent, as she is an exceptional strategist and can adapt her fighting style on the fly. She even possesses the unique ability to recall the combinations she was hit with during fights in her post-fight interviews.

In summary, Shields is renowned for her aggressive and relentless boxing style, characterized by exceptional speed, power, and a high work rate. Her ambition to leave a legacy is equally captivating. Shields often speaks of her quest to continue making history in the world of sports. She proudly calls herself the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) not only for being the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing but also for championing women's empowerment by overcoming life's most daunting odds.