Claressa Shields Returns to Middleweight and More News
By David A. Avila
Claressa Shields faces an incredible challenge next month.
Shields (18-0), the woman from Flint, Michigan with incredible hand speed, remarkable agility and polished boxing skills, dares to return to the middleweight division and face the current unified champion Kaye Scott (5-1-1) on Aug. 15, at Atlanta, Georgia.
‘I got goose bumps. It’s such a big opportunity. Grateful to Claressa for picking me as a dance partner,” said Scott, who is managed by Shields ex-manager Mark Taffet.
For years Shields has been women’s boxing best fighter pound-for-pound, but will be fighting at 160 pounds again. It’s been three years since fighting at middleweight. During her last fight against Franchon Crews-Dezurn in February, 174 pounds was her official weight in the heavyweight division.
It may not seem like much of a hardship to drop down 15 pounds, but for a professional boxer each pound lost can diminish speed, agility, reflexes and endurance.
Back in 2002, one of the greatest male fighters at the time was Roy Jones Jr. His athleticism was peerless. One of the greatest feats in a boxing ring I ever witnessed took place when Jones fought the late Julio Gonzalez in July 2001 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. In the middle of the match Jones was about 10 feet away from Gonzalez and suddenly sprung forward with a leaping left hook and dropped Gonzalez. The distance covered by Jones to deliver that punch was super-human. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
A year and a half later Jones dared to be great and moved up to heavyweight and challenged the champion John Ruiz who had just conquered Evander Holyfield. Ruiz weighed 226 and Jones added 24 pounds and weighed 198. The added weight slowed down Jones but not enough to prevent him from capturing the heavyweight world title that March 1, 2003 in Las Vegas.
After winning the heavyweight world title Jones returned to light heavyweight and lost 24 pounds to weigh 175 pounds against Antonio Tarver. Upon his return the quickness and agility he normally possessed was diminished. Jones won by majority decision. The fight was extremely competitive with many fans claiming Tarver was the true victor. Six months later they met again and this time Tarver knocked out Jones in the second round. The agility and reflexes of Jones was no longer super human.
Going up and down in weight took a lot out of Jones. Will it do the same with Shields when she meets Scott?
Shields believes she has different ways to win.
“Skill overrides everything. I know how to win. If the boxing don’t work, I’m a brawler,” said Shields at the press conference. “My mind is stronger than any body part.”
This could be the toughest match for Shields, who at 31 faces a severe test against time, weight cut and Scott.
Tickets are already on sale at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
More Fight News
Argentina
Brisa Rosario (17-5) and Nicole Morales (3-12-2) fought to a majority draw after eight rounds on Friday June 26. The lightweight fight took place Guaymallen.
Australia
On Saturday July 4, flyweights Bernadette Connors (0-0) and Mishelle Macatangay (2-1) meet eight rounds at Yagoona for Australian title.
China
On Thursday July 2, super feathers Kaidireya Reheimmujiang (0-0) and Suerya Alimujiang (0-0) meet four rounds at Urumqi.
Democratic Republic of Congo
On Saturday Jule 4, featherweights Niati Misama (3-2) and Sandrine Rosette (0-0) meet four rounds at Kinshasa. Also, Ester Fayah (0-0) and Chancelvie Kizubanata (0-0) meet four.
On Sunday July 5, welters Sarah Enduwa (5-0) and Clara Batuveni (0-0) meet four rounds at Kinsasha.
France
Mariam Sidibe (7-0-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Ksenija Medic (4-41-3) on Saturday June 27. The welterweight fight took place in Paris.
Clara Lanuzel (1-0) beat Dari Hernandez (3-8) after four rounds on Saturday June 27. The super bantamweight fight was held in Six Fours.
On Saturday July 4, super lightweights Estelle Mossely (12-0-1) and Karen Carabajal (25-3) meet 10 rounds at Paris.
Germany
Madeline Mohrhardt (9-0) knocked out Diana Kulinova (4-18) in the fourth round on Saturday June 27. The lightweight title fight was held in Ludwigsburg.
On Friday July 3, flyweights Lorena Bunoza (7-0) and Angela Cannizzaro (6-26-1) meet four rounds at Essen.
India
On Saturday July 4, super featherweights Shweta Shweta (1-0) and Rajwant Kaur (5-8) meet four rounds at Gohana. Also, flyweights Nitika (0-0) and Tamanna (0-0) meet four.
On Sunday July 5, feathers Mamta Singh (8-3-1) and Tania Happy (0-1) meet six rounds at New Delhi. Also, flies Priyanka Kamble (0-0) and Anam Khan (5-2) meet four.
Italy
Diletta Cipollone (5-0) defeated Cristina Garganese (4-5) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 27. The super bantamweight Italian title fight was held in Puglia.
Frederica Zanellato (3-0) beat Beriana Zammit (0-1) after six rounds on Wednesday June 24. The super lightweight fight took place in Rome.
On Saturday July 4, lightweights Pamela Noutcho (10-0) and Jenny Tulcan (14-0) meet 10 rounds at Rome for IBO title.
Japan
Arisa Tsubata (4-0) knocked out Duangjai Saejam (2-2) in the third round on Wednesday June 24. The super lightweight fight was held in Tokyo.
Kenya
On Saturday July 4, featherweights Lydia Natale (0-2) and Rael Ashubwe (1-4) meet six rounds at Eldoret.
Pakistan
On Sunday July 5, featherweights Laura Akram (5-0) and Halima Vunjabei (17-15-1) meet 10 rounds at Khanewal.
Rwanda
On Sunday July 5, lightweights Konyi Celine (0-0) and Fatuuma Nabikolo (0-0) meet six rounds at Kigali.
South Korea
Eun Joo Cha (4-1-2) beat Eun Young Lee (2-5) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 27. The minimumweight fight took place in Incheon.
Spain
Mary Romero (14-9) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Ewelina Pekalska (9-2) on Saturday Jue 27. The flyweight title fight took place in San Ysidro.
Thailand
Nicolle Bustos (1-0) defeated Noylng Yocanda Ampie (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 27. The light flyweight fight was held in Perez Zeledon. Also, Aylin Gonzalez (3-0) beat Nickole Holmes (2-1) after four.
United Kingdom
Raven Chapman (10-2) knocked out Georgia Klein (2-3) in the fourth round on Saturday June 27. The super lightweight fight took place in Harrow. Also, super bantam Liz Palmer (4-0) beat Sydney Chambers (0-8) in four.
USA
Albina Moldazhanova (4-0) knocked out Claudia Herrera (5-7-1) in the second round on Wednesday June 24. The super lightweight fight took place in Indio, Calif. Also, featherweight Thalia Limon (5-2) knocked out Haley Pasion (2-5) in three; super fly Shavon Furrow (3-0) beat Fayeda An (0-4-1) in four; and Danielle Fishbeck (1-0) beat Silvia Fernandez (0-3) in four; and light fly Jadalie Medeiros (6-0) beat Yadira Mendoza (1-1) after four.
