Claressa Shields the $8 Million Dollar Woman and More Fight News

 

By David A. Avila

Multi-million dollar contracts are rare in any female sport.

Claressa Shields recently received a reported $8 million dollar multi-fight contract with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions it was announced last week.

Think about how many women athletes in team sports like baseball, soccer and basketball would love a contract similar to Shield’s.

“This deal represents more than just a contract, it’s a statement. I’ve fought my entire career to prove that women’s boxing deserves equal respect, equal pay, and equal opportunity,” stated Shields.

Shields is part of the Big Three which includes Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor who are raking in seven figures whenever they enter the boxing ring. They are also the reason that women’s boxing has cracked the glass ceiling that previously kept female prizefighting off television or streaming networks.

Now these three women are the primary reason networks are interested.

Decades from now people will talk about their importance to the sport. Shields and Taylor arrived after victory in the Olympics and Serrano bludgeoned her way through the professional ranks. Combined they raised fan interest a hundred-fold like an atomic bomb explosion.

The Shields contract involves the music industry blending with boxing. It’s not a new concept. Over the years I’ve witnessed other promoters attempt the merger but not at this level.

In Hollywood, several boxing shows merged with new musical groups at smaller shows like Florentine Gardens. Before that, Roy Jones Jr. attempted something similar. There have been others.

Shields last two shows combined music and boxing with great effect. You could see concern on her face as she looked around the arena seemingly gauging the fan interest and depth. The boxing element seemed secondary until the opening bell rang and then she immediately went to work.

Slam, bam, over.

Her eyes shined after the victories and her appreciation for the fans was clearly evident.

Last year was maybe equally as important as her Olympic victories. The movie based on her early life “The Fire Inside” was a major boost to fan appeal and recognition, plus her successful jump to heavyweight solidified claims of being the best female fighter pound for pound in the world.

Shields has conquered most of the boxing world, now she is merely protecting her conquests.

“Partnering with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records gives me the platform to keep breaking barriers inside and outside the ring. Together, we’re building something that’s never been done before,” said Shields.

 

Long Beach, Ca. Show

WBO super fly champ Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta defends her title and leads a strong card that also features Lupe Medina and Roxy Verduzco on Saturday Nov. 22, at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Promotions card.

Hiruta (9-0, 2 Kos) defends against Mexico’s Gloria Gallardo (16-3-3, 7 Kos) a big hitting fighter whose last win ended in a first round knockout win. Hiruta is making her fourth world title defense in a year’s span.

“I’m very happy to fight four times,” said Hiruta.

Accompanying Hiruta is top contender Medina (11-0) who meets Lillian Almaraz (2-4) in a match set for eight. Also, super bantam Roxy Verduzco (6-0) fights veteran and world title challenger Maria Salinas (27-13-6) in another eight-round bout.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Maria Soledad Rodriguez (1-0) beat Claudia Loza (1-4) by decision after four rounds on Friday Nov. 7. The super fly fight was held in Parana.

On Saturday Nov. 15, super bantams Leonela Sanchez (3-0) and Lucia Marrero (6-0) meet 10 rounds for South American title at Buenos Aires.

 

Australia

Mai Soliman (10-1) knocked out Jasmine Parr (8-2) in the seventh round on Friday Nov. 7. The super fly fight was held in Essendon Fields. Also, feather Mariah Turner (12-1) beat Stephanie Lee Cutting (9-1) in 10.

On Saturday Nov. 15, light flies Chloe Grech (3-0-1) and Mishelle Macatangay (1-1) meet eight rounds at Bass Hill. Also, flies Jemma Peart (7-1) and Apek Buddee (3-0) meet six.

 

Austria

Dilara Yucel (17-0) defeated Bianka Nagy (2-7) by split decision after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The welterweight match was held in Vienna.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nina Radovanovic (20-4) won by decision after six rounds versus Sara Orszagi (2-11) on Saturday Nov. 8. The flyweight fight took place in Banja Luka.

 

Egypt

On Friday Nov. 14, super flies Angelika Lukas (15-1) and Katherine Lindenmuth (7-5) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Cairo.

 

France

Romane Moulai (7-0) knocked out Roxana Colmenarez (12-8-1) in the second round on Thursday Nov. 6. The light fly battle took place in Le Port-Marly.

On Saturday Nov. 15, flyweights Jasmina Zapotoczna (9-1) and Justina Lallemand (13-3-1) meet 10 rounds at Ardennes.

On Saturday Nov. 15, super bantams Segolene Lefebvre (19-1) and Almudena Alvarez (7-2) meet eight rounds at Douai.

 

Germany

Annabell Honert (3-0) knocked out Natalie Bongartz (0-1) in the first round on Sunday Nov. 9. The cruiserweight fight was held in Westfalen.

On Saturday Nov. 15, super welters Naomi Mannes (7-3-1) and Patricia Cabrera (3-2) meet eight rounds at Hamburg.

On Saturday Nov. 15, middleweights Ester Konecna (7-34-2) and Anja Moskil (3-0) meet four rounds at Cologne.

 

India

Chetna Saini (3-1) defeated Bhumika Chaudhry (1-2) after four rounds on Wednesday Nov. 5. The super bantam fight was held in New Delhi. Also, lightweight Bhanushali Minaxi (1-0) beat Anisha Anisha (0-1) after four.

 

Italy

Pamela Sawa (10-0) defeated Karn Carabajal (25-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Nov. 7. The lightweight match was held in Bologna.

 

New Zealand

Sheilla Yama (5-0) beat Rishon Harris (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The lightweight fight took place in Auckland.

On Friday Nov. 14, light flies Emma Nesbitt (9-1) and Monika Singh (10-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Auckland. Also, super feathers Mea Motu (22-1) and Manjot Rattu (7-2) meet 10 rounds.

 

Nigeria

On Saturday Nov. 15, light heavies Celina Agwu (7-1) and Latifat Salami (2-1) meet six rounds at Lagos.

 

Poland

On Saturday Nov. 15, super lights Adrianna Jedrzejczyk (4-0) and Helene Connart (3-1) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Warsaw.

 

South Africa

Bernice Ferreira (9-0) defeated Nozipho Bell (15-5-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The South African super feather title fight was held in Pretoria. Also, bantam Monica Mkandla (8-0) beat Gabisile Tshabalala (11-7-1) in six.

On Sunday Nov. 16, feathers Tarisai Mutsau (1-1) and Matshidiso Mokebisi (18-16-2) meet eight rounds at Johannesburg.

 

Spain

Alba Sanchez (9-3) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Sarai Umpierrez (3-4) on Friday Nov. 7. The Spanish featherweight title fight was held in Torrelodones.

 

United Kingdom

Kelsey Leonard (3-0) won by decision over Beata Dudek (6-8) after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The featherweight fight took place in Belfast, N. Ireland. Also, welter Christina Desmond (2-0) beat Naila Peloso (1-16-1).

Mae Astbury (3-0) won by decision over Kira Carter (0-23-1) after six on Saturday Nov. 8. The super bantam fight took place in Stoke on Trent,.

On Saturday Nov. 15, welters Zoe Smith (4-3) and Rajwant Kaur (5-5) meet six rounds at London.

 

USA

Mickey OG Rampage (1-0-1) defeated Lauren Michaels (2-6) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The super feather fight was held in Johnstown, PA.

Rubi Gutierrez (6-3-1) defeated Amanda Sendejo (2-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 8. The minimumweight title fight was held in San Antonio, Texas.

Brandi Robinson (5-0) beat Jade Masson Wong (2-1) after six rounds on Wednesday Nov. 5. The welterweight battle was held in Richmond, Virginia.

On Friday Nov. 14, super bantams Chastity Roberts (0-0) and Stephanie Calderon (0-0) meet four rounds at Clearwater, Florida.

On Saturday Nov. 15, super lights Stephanie Simon (4-0) and Destiny Jones (5-3) meet six rounds at Long Beach, Calif.

On Saturday Nov. 15, super bantams Jenifer Perella (3-1) and Brittany Dukes (3-8-2) meet four rounds at Everett, Mass.

On Saturday Nov. 15, flyweights Katelyn Radtka (0-0) and Isis Sio (0-1) meet four rounds at St. Jospeh, Missouri.

 

Venezuela

On Saturday Nov. 15, bantams Militza Salazar (9-4) and Ligvelys Amaya (2-7) meet 10 rounds at Cumana.

On Saturday Nov. 15, bantams Albys Larez (4-2) and Oenida Diaz (0-4) meet six rounds at Caracas.

 

Vietnam

On Saturday Nov. 15, feathers Pei Yi Wu (4-1) and Pam McClelland (6-3-1) meet eight rounds at Vung Tau.

 

(Photo by Ed Mulholland)