Claressa Shields Returns and More News in Boxing

 

By David A. Avila

A year has passed since Claressa Shields stepped in between the ropes but the undisputed super welterweight and middleweight champion has returned to boxing after a moment in MMA.

She’s back.

Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) faces Slovenia’s undefeated Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday Feb. 5, at Cardiff, Wales of all places. She is fighting abroad to make a statement to all those who doubt her. The fight will be shown on FITE.TV pay-per-view.

“They’re going to see that I’m just a phenomenal and great fighter. And I’m light years ahead of the rest. And that’s why I don’t mind going to the UK to fight Ema. I don’t mind going to the UK to fight Savannah Marshall,” said Shields over the phone.

While cleaning up the super welterweight division she endured several hurdles most notably the pandemic that forced closures and cancellations of fight cards worldwide.

“Not being able get out of the house, not being able to travel to the gym, I got up to 190 pounds in 2020. I hadn’t been that big ever in my life,” said Shields about being locked in her home. “That was how Covid affected me. Once Covid lifted I got right back to the gym and I haven’t been passed 173 pounds.”

After returning to the gym Shields worked in MMA with former boxing champion Holly Holm who left the sport to become a UFC champion. Training for MMA was an experience that Shields enjoyed immensely.

“I like learning. I like going in there and challenging myself. I always went into boxing knowing I had a 100 percent chance of winning. In MMA, it was like dang, I could probably lose this,” said Shields chuckling. “It’s a scary feeling, but also its like, it’s an exciting feeling.”

Shields worked with Holm and was taught many fighting skills needed in MMA. She also shared many boxing war stories with the New Mexico fighter who fought Ronda Rousey in MMA and Christy Martin in boxing.

“Me and Holly Holm had Sunday dinners together. We sparred a lot together. We drilled a lot together. I have Holly’s number and I can hit her up any time. She’s a sweetheart and she’s a great fighter and has been a great mentor. If anybody’s my mentor in MMA its Holly Holm,” said Shields adding that Holm could probably return to boxing and win world titles again.

But now Shields has returned to boxing.

Currently, she has a two-fight deal with Boxxer Promotions that begins with this fight against Kozin and ends with a clash against rival Savannah Marshall.

“So, its been great actually to speak with Boxxers and get the seven-figure deal done. The two-fight deal done,” said Shields adding that getting more involved in the business side of things has been rewarding.

Mark Taffet, her longtime manager and adviser said that Shields has the acumen for business as well as boxing.

“She’s extremely intelligent,” said Taffet who has worked with Shields from the beginning of her pro career and through the different journeys. “She knows exactly what she wants.”

Shields has a love for the sport of boxing and especially for the women’s side of it. As one of the Olympians who heralded a new wave of interest, she has endured setbacks as well as success. She does share one remedy to push women’s boxing to the top.

“I wish that every network would showcase women’s boxing. That’s it. If I could fix anything right now that would be it,” Shields said. “If every network would showcase women’s boxing, I think that would definitely help women’s boxing and put us on every major pay-per-view card.”

Starting this Saturday, Shields will do her part.

 

Probellum

Last week Probellum announced it signed France’s Estelle Mossely to a contract and will be promoting her upcoming fight at Dubai in mid-March.

Mossely, 29, currently holds the IBO lightweight world title and is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist.

Probellum earlier signed Denmark’s Dina Thorslund, the WBO bantamweight world titlist to a contract. The promotion company is headed by Richard Schaefer, who is based in Los Angeles.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Marianela Ramirez (8-7-2) stopped Natalia Alderete (4-7) in the first round by technical knockout on Saturday Jan. 29. The South American super bantamweight title fight was held at Cordoba.

On Saturday Feb. 5, flyweights Veronica Ruiz (1-0) and Sofia Mendez (1-0) meet in four three-minute rounds at La Rioja. Also, super bantamweights Maria Mazzarello (2-0) and Daniela Arena (0-1) meet four rounds.

 

Colombia

Carmarie Matos (3-0) defeated Mirleydis Hoyos (1-6-1) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 29. The bantamweight match was held at Santa Marta.

 

France

On Saturday Feb. 5, super featherweights Nahed Kharchi (6-4) and Amel Anouar (2-0-1) meet eight rounds for the French title at Nice.

 

South Africa

Ellen Simwaka (9-5-2) won by technical knockout in the fourth round over Gabisile Tshabalala (10-6-1) on Thursday Jan. 27. The super bantamweight bout was held at Gauteng.

 

Tanzania

On Saturday Feb. 5, super middleweights Lucy Macho (0-0-1) and Amina Mohammed (2-4) meet four rounds at Dar es Salaam.

 

United Kingdom

On Saturday Feb. 5, middleweights Claressa Shields (11-0) and Ema Kozin (21-0-1) meet 10 rounds at Cardiff, Wales for the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBF world titles. The fight will be shown on pay-per-view. Also, lightweights Caroline Dubois (0-0) and Vaida Masiokaite (2-14-4) meet four rounds.

 

USA

Carla Torres (7-6) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Kalliopi Kouroni (11-3) on Saturday Jan. 29. The super featherweight fight took place at Tulsa, Oklahoma.

On Saturday Feb. 5, bantamweights Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2) and Carly Skelly (4-0-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title at Phoenix, Arizona. DAZN will stream.

 

(Photo by Jiujitsu Times)