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{{short description|American boxer}}
{{short description|American boxer (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox boxer
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Claressa Shields
| name = Claressa Shields
| nickname =
| image = Claressa Shields - PopTech 2012.jpg
| image = Claressa GWOAT Shields.jpg
| caption = Shields with her Olympic gold medal in 2012
| image_size =
| realname = Claressa Maria Shields<ref name=chappell>Chappell, Bill. [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetorch/2016/08/21/490837143/claressa-shields-of-michigan-wins-second-straight-gold-medal "Claressa Maria Shields of the U.S. celebrates her gold medal win over Nouchka Fontijn"] npr.org, August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.</ref>
| alt =
| nickname = The Big Forehead, The Fugly Champ, The American Bulldog, T-Rex
| caption = Shields at Collision 2022
| nationality = American
| birth_name = Claressa Maria Shields<ref name="fn" />
| weight = {{plainlist|
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1995|3|17}}
*[[Middleweight]]
| birth_place = [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.
*[[Super middleweight]]
| residence =
| height = 5 ft 8 in
| weight_lb =
| weight =
| weight_class = {{plainlist|
*[[Light middleweight]] (Boxing)
*[[Middleweight]] (Boxing)
*[[Super middleweight]] (Boxing)
*[[Light heavyweight]] (Boxing)
*[[Heavyweight]] (Boxing)
*[[Lightweight (MMA)|Lightweight]] (MMA) (2021–present)
}}
}}
| reach = 68 in<ref>{{cite web|title=Claressa Shields ("T-Rex") {{!}} Boxer Page|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/200636-claressa-shields|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Tapology|language=en}}</ref>
| height = 5 ft 8 in
| style = [[Boxing]]
| reach = 68 in
| rank =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|17}}
| stance =
| birth_place = [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.
| fighting_out_of =
| boxrec = 777865
| total = 10
| teacher =
| team = [[Jackson Wink MMA Academy]] (2020–present) (MMA)<ref name="mmaf20b" />
| wins = 10
| KO = 2
| trainer =
| years_active = 2017–present
| losses = 0
| draws =
| box_win = 15
| no contest =
| box_kowin = 3
| box_loss =
| box_koloss =
| box_draw =
| box_nc =
| mma_kowin = 1
| mma_subwin =
| mma_decwin = 1
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss =
| mma_decloss = 1
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| other =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| relatives =
| students =
| university =
| url =
| boxrec = 777865
| sherdog = 381927
| footnotes =
| updated =
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }}
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport | Women’s [[Amateur Boxing ]]}}
{{MedalSport | Women's [[amateur boxing ]]}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold | [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|Middleweight]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|Middleweight]]}}
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}}
}}


'''Claressa Maria Shields''' (born March 17, 1995)<ref name=apfeb2012>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=7586876 "Boxer Claressa Shields could be Olympic teen star."] Associated Press, February 17, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> is an American [[professional boxer]] and mixed martial artist.<ref name=mmaf20>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/11/30/21754485/boxing-champ-claressa-shields-signs-with-pfl-for-non-tourney-lightweight-fights|title=Boxing champ Claressa Shields signs with PFL for non-tourney lightweight fights|date=November 30, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Steven Marrocco}}</ref> She has held multiple world titles in three [[weight class (boxing)|weight classes]] and reigned as the [[undisputed champion|undisputed]] female [[middleweight]] champion from 2019 to September 2020, having held the [[Unified champion|unified]] [[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]], and [[IBF]] female middleweight titles since 2018; and the [[WBO]] female middleweight title from 2019 to September 2020. She has also held the unified WBC and WBO female [[light middleweight]] titles since January 2020;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/04/claressa-shields-becomes-undisputed-womens-middleweight-champion-of-world.html|title=Claressa Shields becomes undisputed women's middleweight champion of world|date=April 14, 2019|author=Brendan Savage|work=Michigan Live}}</ref> and the unified WBC and IBF female [[super middleweight]] titles from 2017 to 2018. Shields currently holds the record for becoming a two and three-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/claressa-shields-dominates-ivana-habazin-becomes-fastest-fighter-to-win-titles-in-three-weight-classes/amp/|title=Claressa Shields dominates Ivana Habazin, becomes fastest fighter to win titles in three weight classes|website=www.cbssports.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-11}}</ref> As of November 2020, she is ranked as the world's best active female light middleweight by ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]''<ref name=RingP4P>{{Cite web|date=8 September 2020|title=The Ring Women’s Ratings|url=https://www.ringtv.com/609826-the-ring-womens-ratings/|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Ring}}</ref> and [[BoxRec]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=BoxRec: Female light middleweight ratings|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?role=proboxer&offset=0&sex=F&division=Light%20Middleweight|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=[[BoxRec]]}}</ref> as well as the best active female boxer, [[pound for pound]], by [[ESPN]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 26, 2020|title=Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Katie Taylor do enough to take over the No. 1 spot?|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/29738630/women-boxing-pound-pound-rankings-did-katie-taylor-do-enough-take-no-1-spot|access-date=September 23, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> second by ''The Ring'',<ref name=RingP4P/> and seventh by [[BoxRec]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BoxRec: Female P4P ratings|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?r%5Brole%5D=proboxer&r%5Bsex%5D=F&r%5Bdivision%5D=&r%5Bcountry%5D=&r%5Bstance%5D=&r%5Bstatus%5D=a&r_go=|website=boxrec.com|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref>
'''Claressa Maria Shields'''<ref name="fn" /> (born March 17, 1995) is an American [[professional boxer]] and professional [[Mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]]. She has held multiple world championships in [[Quintuple champion#Boxing| five weight classes]], including the [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] female [[light middleweight]] title in March 2021; the undisputed female middleweight title twice between 2019 and 2024, the [[World Boxing Organization]] (WBO) female [[light heavyweight]] title and the [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC) and [[World Boxing Federation]] (WBF) female [[heavyweight]] titles since July 2024; WBC and IBF female [[super middleweight]] titles from 2017 to 2018. Shields currently holds the record for becoming a two and three division world champion in the fewest professional fights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Claressa Shields dominates Ivana Habazin, becomes fastest fighter to win titles in three weight classes |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/claressa-shields-dominates-ivana-habazin-becomes-fastest-fighter-to-win-titles-in-three-weight-classes/amp/ |access-date=2020-01-11 |website=www.cbssports.com |language=en}}</ref> As of October 2022, she is ranked the world's best active female middleweight by [[BoxRec]],<ref>{{cite web |title=BoxRec: Female light middleweight ratings |url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?r%5Brole%5D=proboxer&r%5Bsex%5D=F&r%5Bdivision%5D=Middleweight&r%5Bcountry%5D=&r%5Bstance%5D=&r%5Bstatus%5D=a&r_go= |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=[[BoxRec]]}}</ref> as well as the best active female boxer, [[pound for pound]], by [[ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web |date=October 22, 2022 |title=Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Where do Taylor and Serrano land? |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/34821471/women-boxing-pound-pound-rankings-new-no-1-debut-alycia-baumgardner-top-10 |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=[[ESPN]] |language=}}</ref> and ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]].''<ref>{{cite web |date=8 September 2020 |title=The Ring Women's Ratings |url=https://www.ringtv.com/609826-the-ring-womens-ratings/ |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=The Ring}}</ref>


Shields is one of only eight boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF and [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]—simultaneously, along with [[Bernard Hopkins]] (2004–2005), [[Jermain Taylor]] (2005), [[Cecilia Brækhus]] (2014–2020), [[Terence Crawford]] (2017), [[Oleksandr Usyk]] (2018–2019), [[Katie Taylor]] (2019–), and [[Jessica McCaskill]] (2020–).
Shields is one of only four boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF and [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]], in two weight classes.


In a decorated [[amateur boxing|amateur]] career, Shields won gold medals in the women's middleweight division at the [[Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|2012]] and [[Boxing at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|2016 Olympics]], making her the first American boxer—female or male—to win consecutive Olympic medals.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/claressa-shields-successfully-defends-her-olympic-championship|title=Claressa Shields Successfully Defends Her Olympic Title}}</ref> Shields was the youngest boxer at the February 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the event in the {{convert|165|lb|kg|abbr=on}} [[middleweight]] division.<ref name=oriordan>O'Riordan, Ian. [https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0505/1224315653171.html "Women's boxing – in a New Yorker state of mind."] IrishTimes.com, May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref><ref name=usatoday>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/story/2012-05-07/Claressa-Shields-boxing/54814464/1 "Claressa Shields determined to make London Olympics."] USA Today, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref><ref name=barnas>Barnas, Jo-Ann. [https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-mct-flint-boxer-claressa-shields-takes-next-step-20120510,0,2791369.story "Flint boxer Claressa Shields takes next step toward Olympics on Friday."]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Detroit Free Press, May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> In May, she qualified for the 2012 games, the first year in which women's boxing was an Olympic event,<ref name=barnas051812>Barnas, Jo-Ann. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120518/SPORTS17/120518020/claressa-shields-usa-boxing-olympics "Flint boxer Claressa Shields, 17, qualifies for Olympics."] Detroit Free Press, May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> and went on to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Her only loss professional or amateur comes from British fighter [[Savannah Marshall]].<ref name=cshields>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/claressa-shields-wins-only-gold-medal-for-us-boxing-at-london-olympics-and-the-first-by-a-woman/2012/08/09/da4a3780-e271-11e1-ae7f-d2a13e249eb2_story.html |title=Claressa Shields wins only gold medal for U.S. boxing at London Olympics, and the first by a woman |access-date=August 12, 2012 |first=Rick|last=Maese |date=August 12, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] named her the Female Fighter of the Year.
In a decorated [[amateur boxing|amateur]] career, Shields won gold medals in the women's middleweight division at the [[Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|2012]] and [[Boxing at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's middleweight|2016 Olympics]], making her the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals.<ref name="auto" /> Shields was the youngest boxer at the February 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the event in the {{convert|165|lb|kg|abbr=on}} [[middleweight]] division.<ref name="oriordan" /><ref name="usatoday" /><ref name="barnas">Barnas, Jo-Ann. [https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-mct-flint-boxer-claressa-shields-takes-next-step-20120510,0,2791369.story "Flint boxer Claressa Shields takes next step toward Olympics on Friday."] {{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Detroit Free Press, May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> In May, she qualified for the 2012 Games, the first year in which women's boxing was an Olympic event,<ref name="barnas051812">Barnas, Jo-Ann. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120518/SPORTS17/120518020/claressa-shields-usa-boxing-olympics "Flint boxer Claressa Shields, 17, qualifies for Olympics."] Detroit Free Press, May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> and went on to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.<ref name="cshields">{{cite news |last=Maese |first=Rick |date=August 12, 2012 |title=Claressa Shields wins only gold medal for U.S. boxing at London Olympics, and the first by a woman |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/claressa-shields-wins-only-gold-medal-for-us-boxing-at-london-olympics-and-the-first-by-a-woman/2012/08/09/da4a3780-e271-11e1-ae7f-d2a13e249eb2_story.html |access-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] named her the Female Fighter of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Santoliquito|first=Joseph|date=2018-12-17|title=Claressa Shields Is The BWAA's 2018 Female Fighter of the Year|url=https://www.bwaa.org/single-post/2018/12/17/claressa-shields-is-the-bwaa-s-2018-female-fighter-of-the-year|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=boxingwriters|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108173757/https://www.bwaa.org/single-post/2018/12/17/claressa-shields-is-the-bwaa-s-2018-female-fighter-of-the-year |archive-date=November 8, 2020 }}</ref>

Shields is also a professional mixed martial artist, competing in the [[Professional Fighters League]].<ref name="mmaf20" />


==Early life==
==Early life==
Shields was born and raised in [[Flint, Michigan]], where she was a [[high school]] junior in May 2012.<ref name=oriordan /><ref name=usatoday /> She was introduced to boxing by her father, Bo Shields, who had boxed in underground leagues.<ref name=usatoday /><ref name=parish>Parish, Christopher. [http://espn.go.com/high-school/girl/story/_/id/7899778/claressa-shields-hopes-make-us-women-boxing-team "A fighting chance."] ESPNHS.com, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> Bo was in prison from the time Shields was two years old, and released when she was nine. After his release he talked to her about boxer [[Laila Ali]], piquing her interest in the sport,<ref>{{cite news|title=Claressa Shields: From poverty & abuse to boxing greatness|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39279259|access-date=March 25, 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> although Bo nevertheless believed that boxing was a men's sport and refused to allow Shields to pursue it until she was eleven.<ref name=usatoday /><ref name=parish /><ref name=npr>[https://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147500470/straight-out-of-flint-girl-boxer-aims-for-olympics "Straight Out of Flint: Girl Boxer Aims for Olympics."] NPR, February 27, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> At that time she began boxing at [[Berston Field House]] in Flint, where she met her coach and trainer, Jason Crutchfield.<ref name=parish /> Shields credits her grandmother with encouraging her to not accept restrictions based on her gender.<ref name=usatoday />
Shields was born and raised in [[Flint, Michigan]], where she was a [[high school]] junior in May 2012.<ref name="oriordan" /><ref name="usatoday" /> She was introduced to boxing by her father, Bo Shields, who had boxed in underground leagues.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref name="parish">{{Cite web |date=2012-05-07 |title=A fighting chance |url=https://www.espn.com/high-school/girl/story/_/id/7899778/claressa-shields-hopes-make-us-women-boxing-team |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> Bo was in prison from the time Shields was two to nine years old. After his release, he talked to her about boxer [[Laila Ali]], piquing her interest in the sport.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Claressa Shields: From poverty & abuse to boxing greatness |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/39279259 |access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref> Bo, however, believed that boxing was a men's sport and refused to allow Shields to pursue it until she was eleven.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref name=parish /><ref name="npr">{{cite web |title=Straight Out Of Flint: Girl Boxer Aims For Olympics |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147500470/straight-out-of-flint-girl-boxer-aims-for-olympics |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=NPR |language=en}}</ref> At that time she began boxing at [[Berston Field House]] in Flint, where she met her coach and trainer, Jason Crutchfield.<ref name=parish /> Shields credits her grandmother with encouraging her to not accept restrictions based on her gender.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2021 |title=WATCH: Claressa Shields Tears Up As She Opens Up On Her Grandmother's Influence In Her Life |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/mma-pfl-boxing-news-watch-claressa-shields-tears-up-as-she-opens-up-on-her-grandmothers-influence-in-her-life/ |website=EssentiallySports}}</ref>


==Amateur career==
==Amateur career==
[[File:Claressa Shields - PopTech 2012.jpg|left|thumb|255x255px|Shields with her Olympic gold medal in 2012]]After winning two Junior Olympic championships, Shields competed in her first open-division tournament, the National [[Police Athletic League]] Championships 2011; she won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter and also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.<ref name="apfeb2012">{{cite web |title=Boxer Claressa Shields could be Olympic teen star |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/oly/id/7586876 |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref name="blanchette">{{cite web |title=Spotlight finds teen {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/14/spotlight-finds-teen/ |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref> At the 2012 Olympic Trials, she defeated the reigning national champion, [[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]], the 2010 world champion, Andrecia Wasson, and Pittsburgh's Tika Hemingway to win the middleweight class.<ref name="apfeb2012" /><ref name="usatoday" /> In April 2011, she won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario against three-time defending world champion [[Mary Spencer]] of Canada; she held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point.<ref name="usatoday" /><ref name="parish" /><ref name="click">[http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/Flint-teen-aims-to-be-1-of-the-first-female-boxers-at-Olympics/-/1719176/10995546/-/kul42qz/-/ "Flint teen aims to be 1 of the first female boxers at Olympics."] {{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} [[WDIV]], April 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref>
[[File:Yenebier GUILLÉN BENÍTEZ vs. Claressa SHIELDS.jpg|thumb|left|Shields (left) vs. Yenebier Guillén Benítez, 2015]]
After winning two Junior Olympic championships, Shields competed in her first open-division tournament, the National [[Police Athletic League]] Championships 2011; she won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter and also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.<ref name=apfeb2012 /><ref name=blanchette>Blanchette, John. [http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/14/spotlight-finds-teen/ "Spotlight finds teen."] The Spokesman-Review, February 14, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> At the 2012 Olympic Trials, she defeated the reigning national champion, [[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]], the 2010 world champion, Andrecia Wasson, and Pittsburgh's Tika Hemingway to win the middleweight class.<ref name=apfeb2012 /><ref name=usatoday /> In April 2011, she won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario against three-time defending world champion [[Mary Spencer]] of Canada; she held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point.<ref name=usatoday /><ref name=parish /><ref name=click>[http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/Flint-teen-aims-to-be-1-of-the-first-female-boxers-at-Olympics/-/1719176/10995546/-/kul42qz/-/ "Flint teen aims to be 1 of the first female boxers at Olympics."]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [[WDIV]], April 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref>


Following Shields' victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials, it was initially reported that she would need only a top-8 finish at the [[2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships]] in [[Qinhuangdao]], [[China]], in order to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.<ref name="barnas" />
Following Shields' victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials, it was initially reported that she would need only a top-8 finish at the [[2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships]] in [[Qinhuangdao]], [[China]], in order to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.<ref name=barnas /> On May 10, the day after the contest began but before Shields' first bout, a change to the rules was announced that meant Shields would need to place in the top two from the (North, Central, and South) American Boxing Confederation region of AIBA (AMBC).<ref name=barnas051112>Barnas, Jo-Ann. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120511/SPORTS17/120511034/claressa-shields-usa-boxing-olympicss "Flint boxer Claressa Shields' path to Olympics changes course."] Detroit Free Press, May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Shields won her first round, but suffered an upset loss in the second round on May 13 to [[Savannah Marshall]] of England, bringing Shields' record to 26–1.<ref name=woodyard>Woodyard, Eric. [http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2012/05/first_amateur_loss_frustrates.html "First amateur loss frustrates Flint boxer Claressa Shields, she expected a victory."] Flint Journal, May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Her chances for qualification thus depended on Marshall's subsequent performance; after Marshall advanced to the middleweight finals on May 18, it was announced that Shields had earned an Olympic berth. At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division after beating Russian boxer [[Nadezda Torlopova]] 19–12.<ref name=barnas051812 /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18914079 |title=Olympics boxing: Claressa Shields takes middleweight gold for USA |work=bbc.co.uk |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809214846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18914079 |archive-date=August 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On May 10, the day after the contest began but before Shields' first bout, a change to the rules was announced that meant Shields would need to place in the top two from the (North, Central, and South) American Boxing Confederation region of AIBA (AMBC).<ref name="barnas051112">Barnas, Jo-Ann. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120511/SPORTS17/120511034/claressa-shields-usa-boxing-olympicss "Flint boxer Claressa Shields' path to Olympics changes course."] Detroit Free Press, May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref>
In 2014, Shields won the World Championship gold medal,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2014/11/19/claressa-shields-boxing-world-championships-11-seconds/|title=Claressa Shields wins first World Championships bout in 11 seconds (video)|first=Nick|last=Zaccardi|date=November 20, 2014|website=Olympics.nbcsports.com}}</ref> and the following year, she became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/07/25/flints-claressa-shields-serve-flag-bearer-pan-am-games/30686341/|title=Flint's Claressa Shields to serve as flag bearer at Pan-Am close|website=Detroitnews.com}}</ref>


Shields won her first round but was beaten in the second round on May 13 to [[Savannah Marshall]] of England, bringing Shields' record to 26–1.<ref name="woodyard">{{Cite web |date=2012-05-16 |title=First amateur loss frustrates Flint boxer Claressa Shields, she expected a victory |url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/2012/05/first_amateur_loss_frustrates.html |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=mlive |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Shields vs Benitez 2015 (7).jpg|left|thumb|Shields (in red) vs. Yenebier Guillén Benítez, 2015]]
Shields won the gold medal at the 2016 AMBC Olympic Qualifying tournament in Argentina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2016/03/flint_boxer_claressa_shields_w_10.html|title=Flint boxer Claressa Shields wins gold at 2016 Americas Qualifier in Argentina|website=Mlive.com|date=March 22, 2016|author=Eric Woodyard}}</ref> Later that year at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division by defeating [[Nouchka Fontijn]] of the Netherlands. She was the only gold medalist from the American team and was awarded the inaugural women's division of the Val Barker Trophy at the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/21/rio-olympics-boxing-claressa-shields/89074814/ |title=Golden again! Flint's Claressa Shields defends Olympic boxing title |website=Freep.com |access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref> Her back-to-back Olympic gold medal wins made her the first American boxer—female or male—to win consecutive Olympic titles.<ref name="auto"/>


Her chances for qualification thus depended on Marshall's subsequent performance; after Marshall advanced to the middleweight finals on May 18, it was announced that Shields had earned an Olympic berth.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Maya A. |date=9 May 2016 |title=Older and wiser, Claressa Shields reflects on 2012 |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/feature/article/15492978/older-wiser-claressa-shields-appreciates-attention-missing-2012-olympic-gold-fame |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=ESPN |language=}}</ref> At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London, aged 17, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division after beating veteran Russian boxer [[Nadezda Torlopova]] 19–12.<ref name="barnas051812" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympics boxing: Claressa Shields takes middleweight gold for USA |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18914079 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809214846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18914079 |archive-date=August 9, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |website=BBC}}</ref> This made her the first American woman to win a boxing gold medal.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/olympics/2016/03/11/usa-boxer-claressa-shields-rio-olympics|title=Q&A with U.S. boxer Claressa Shields ahead of Rio|first=Stefanie|last=Gordon|date=March 11, 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
Her amateur boxing record was 77 wins (19 by knockout<ref name="woodyard"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2015/07/24/claressa-shields-ronda-rousey-boxing-mma-olympics-ufc/|title=Claressa Shields: I would fight Ronda Rousey|first=Nick|last=Zaccardi|date=July 24, 2015|website=Olympics.nbcsports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2015/08/hundreds_attend_premiere_of_cl.html|title=Hundreds attend Flint premiere of Claressa Shields 'T-Rex' documentary|website=Mlive.com|date=August 6, 2015|author=Eric Woodyard}}</ref>) and 1 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/claressa-shields-beginning-397052 |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310231040/http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/claressa-shields-beginning-397052 |archive-date=March 10, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2016/08/17/flints-claressa-shields-moves-rio-boxing/88900838/|title=Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future|website=Detroitnews.com}}</ref>

In 2014, Shields won the World Championship gold medal,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |date=November 20, 2014 |title=Claressa Shields wins first World Championships bout in 11 seconds (video) |url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2014/11/19/claressa-shields-boxing-world-championships-11-seconds/ |website=Olympics.nbcsports.com}}</ref> and the following year, she became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American Games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flint's Claressa Shields to serve as flag bearer at Pan-Am close |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/07/25/flints-claressa-shields-serve-flag-bearer-pan-am-games/30686341/ |website=Detroitnews.com}}</ref> As a result of her performance in the [[2015 Pan American Games|Pan American Games]], she was given the honour of serving as Team USA's flag bearer at the [[2015 Pan American Games closing ceremony|closing ceremony]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDougall |first=Chrös |date=22 July 2019 |title=5 Top Team USA Moments From The 2015 Pan American Games |url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/July/22/5-Top-Team-USA-Moments-From-The-2015-Pan-American-Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722222344/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/July/22/5-Top-Team-USA-Moments-From-The-2015-Pan-American-Games |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=19 September 2022 |website=Team USA}}</ref>

Shields won the gold medal at the 2016 AMBC Olympic Qualifying tournament in Argentina defeating Dominican Republic's Yenebier Guillen in her final bout on her 21st birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eric Woodyard |date=March 22, 2016 |title=Flint boxer Claressa Shields wins gold at 2016 Americas Qualifier in Argentina |url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2016/03/flint_boxer_claressa_shields_w_10.html |website=Mlive.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Later that year at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division by defeating [[Nouchka Fontijn]] of the Netherlands. She was awarded the inaugural women's division of the Val Barker Trophy at the competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden again! Flint's Claressa Shields defends Olympic boxing title |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/21/rio-olympics-boxing-claressa-shields/89074814/ |access-date=2016-08-22 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> Her back-to-back Olympic gold medal wins made her the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic titles.<ref name="auto" />

Her amateur boxing record was 64 wins (5 by knockout<ref name="woodyard" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |date=July 24, 2015 |title=Claressa Shields: I would fight Ronda Rousey |url=http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2015/07/24/claressa-shields-ronda-rousey-boxing-mma-olympics-ufc/ |website=Olympics.nbcsports.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eric Woodyard |date=August 6, 2015 |title=Hundreds attend Flint premiere of Claressa Shields 'T-Rex' documentary |url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2015/08/hundreds_attend_premiere_of_cl.html |website=Mlive.com}}</ref>) and 1 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Claressa Shields: This is only the beginning |url=http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/claressa-shields-beginning-397052 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310231040/http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/claressa-shields-beginning-397052 |archive-date=March 10, 2017 |access-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2016/08/17/flints-claressa-shields-moves-rio-boxing/88900838/ |website=Detroitnews.com}}</ref>


==Professional boxing career==
==Professional boxing career==
[[File:Claressa Shields (27143341123) (cropped).jpg|thumb|280x280px|Claressa Shields in 2016]]
In November 2016, Shields officially went pro. She won her first match, against [[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]], by unanimous decision.<ref name="freep1">{{cite web|last=Coppinger |first=Mike |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2016/11/19/flint-boxing-claressa-shields-wins-pro-debut/94154520/ |title=Flint's Claressa Shields wins easily in pro boxing debut in Las Vegas |website=Freep.com |date=2016-11-19 |access-date=2017-02-27}}</ref>
In November 2016, Shields officially went pro. She won her first match, against [[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]], by unanimous decision.<ref name="freep1">{{Cite web |last=Coppinger |first=Mike |date=2016-11-19 |title=Flint's Claressa Shields wins easily in pro boxing debut in Las Vegas |url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2016/11/19/flint-boxing-claressa-shields-wins-pro-debut/94154520/ |access-date=2017-02-27 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>


On March 10, 2017, she faced Szilvia Szabados for the [[North American Boxing Federation]] middleweight title, and won. This was the main event on [[ShoBox]], with a regional title fight between [[Antonio Nieves]] and [[Nikolai Potapov]] serving as the co-main event.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baca |first=Michael |url=http://www.ringtv.com/486965-antonio-nieves-nikolai-potapov-clash-march-10-shobox/ |title=Antonio Nieves and Nikolai Potapov to clash March 10, on 'ShoBox' - The Ring |website=Ringtv.com |date=2014-06-20 |access-date=2017-03-08}}</ref> It was the first time a women's boxing bout was the main event on a United States premium network card.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/18852498/claressa-shields-returns-home-headline-shobox-event |title=Claressa Shields returns home to headline ShoBox event |website=Espn.com |access-date=2017-03-08}}</ref><ref name="freep.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/03/11/claressa-shields-boxing-title-mgm-grand-detroit-showtime/99048486/|title=Claressa Shields knocks 'em off their feet, wins first pro title|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On March 10, 2017, she faced Szilvia Szabados for the [[North American Boxing Federation]] middleweight title, and won by TKO. This was the main event on [[ShoBox]], with a regional title fight between [[Antonio Nieves]] and [[Nikolai Potapov]] serving as the co-main event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=2014-06-20 |title=Antonio Nieves and Nikolai Potapov to clash March 10, on 'ShoBox' - The Ring |url=http://www.ringtv.com/486965-antonio-nieves-nikolai-potapov-clash-march-10-shobox/ |access-date=2017-03-08 |website=Ringtv.com}}</ref> It was the first time a women's boxing bout was the main event on a United States premium network card.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2017 |title=Claressa Shields returns home to headline ShoBox event |url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/18852498/claressa-shields-returns-home-headline-shobox-event |access-date=2017-03-08 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref name="freep.com">{{Cite web |title=Claressa Shields knocks 'em off their feet, wins first pro title |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/03/11/claressa-shields-boxing-title-mgm-grand-detroit-showtime/99048486/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>


On June 16, 2017, Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl," facing Sydney LeBlanc in her first scheduled eight-round bout. LeBlanc signed on with three days notice, after Mery Rancier dropped out due to visa issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19635361|title=Former Olympian Shields to face LeBlanc|date=June 14, 2017|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19321326|title=Shields to fight Rancier in June in Detroit|date=May 6, 2017|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> Shields won the bout by decision after all eight rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/06/17/flints-claressa-shields-claims-wbc-silver-belt-detroit-brawl/405845001/|title=Flint's Claressa Shields claims WBC Silver belt in Detroit Brawl|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On June 16, 2017, Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl," facing Sydney LeBlanc in her first scheduled eight-round bout. LeBlanc signed on with three days notice, after Mery Rancier dropped out due to visa issues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Former Olympian Shields to face LeBlanc |url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19635361 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2017 |title=Shields to fight Rancier in June in Detroit |url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/19321326 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=ESPN}}</ref> Shields won the bout by decision after all eight rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flint's Claressa Shields claims WBC Silver belt in Detroit Brawl |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/06/17/flints-claressa-shields-claims-wbc-silver-belt-detroit-brawl/405845001/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>


On August 4, 2017, Shields defeated defending champ [[Nikki Adler]] in Detroit for the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] [[Super middleweight|super-middleweight]] belt and the vacant [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] super-middleweight belt. The fight was on Showtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-sn-boxing-claressa-shields-nikki-adler-showtime-20170628-story.html|title=Olympic champion Claressa Shields nabs title shot in fourth pro bout|first=Lance|last=Pugmire|website=latimes.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On August 4, 2017, Shields defeated defending champ [[Nikki Adler]] at [[MGM Grand Detroit]] for the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] [[Super middleweight|super-middleweight]] belt and the vacant [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] super-middleweight belt. By 5th Rd TKO the ref had to jump in to protect The undefeated Nikki Adler. The fight was broadcast on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |date=June 28, 2017 |title=Olympic champion Claressa Shields nabs title shot in fourth pro bout |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-sn-boxing-claressa-shields-nikki-adler-showtime-20170628-story.html |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>


On January 12, 2018, Shields retained her WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles, and won the WBAN super-middleweight title by defeating 17-0 [[Tori Nelson]]. It was Shields' first time going all 10 rounds in her professional career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbc25news.com/sports/content/claressa-shields-goes-10-rounds-for-the-first-time-but-still-dominates|title=Claressa Shields goes 10 rounds for the first time, but still dominates|first=Thomas|last=Eschen|date=January 13, 2018|website=WEYI|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.womenboxing.com/NEWS2018/news011318shields-wins-wban-super-middleweight-title.htm|title=Latest News Story on WBAN|website=www.womenboxing.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/01/wban-belt-awarded-winner-shields-nelson-showdown-world-super-middleweight-championship-live-showtime/|title=Shields-Nelson fight for WBAN belt this Fri.|date=January 9, 2018|website=Box<refingnews24.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On January 12, 2018, Shields retained her WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles, and won the WBAN super-middleweight title by defeating 17-0 [[Tori Nelson]]. It was Shields' first time going all 10 rounds in her professional career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eschen |first=Thomas |date=January 13, 2018 |title=Claressa Shields goes 10 rounds for the first time, but still dominates |url=http://nbc25news.com/sports/content/claressa-shields-goes-10-rounds-for-the-first-time-but-still-dominates |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=WEYI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Latest News Story on WBAN |url=http://www.womenboxing.com/NEWS2018/news011318shields-wins-wban-super-middleweight-title.htm |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=www.womenboxing.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Shields-Nelson fight for WBAN belt this Fri. |url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/01/wban-belt-awarded-winner-shields-nelson-showdown-world-super-middleweight-championship-live-showtime/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Boxingnews24.com}}</ref>


On June 22, 2018, in just her sixth professional fight, Shields defeated [[Hanna Gabriel]] by [[unanimous decision]], winning the vacant [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] and inaugural IBF [[middleweight]] belts, breaking the record for becoming a two-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights, a record previously held by [[Vasyl Lomachenko]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23485907|title=Lomachenko stops Linares with 10th-round TKO|date=2018-05-13|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref> During Round 1, she experienced the first knock down of her professional career. She dropped down from 168 pounds to 160 for the fight. This was her first fight with trainer [[John David Jackson (boxer)|John David Jackson]], having worked with Jason Crutchfield for the previous 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightnews.com/claressa-shields-training-camp-notes/22598|title=Boxing News: Claressa Shields Training Camp Notes » April 22, 2019|date=May 31, 2018|website=Fightnews.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/06/23/claressa-shields-boxing-hanna-gabriels/727757002/|title=Claressa Shields knocked down, but fights back to beat Hanna Gabriels|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On June 22, 2018, in just her sixth professional fight, Shields defeated [[Hanna Gabriel]] by [[unanimous decision]], winning the vacant [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] and inaugural IBF [[middleweight]] belts, breaking the record for becoming a two-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights, a record previously held by [[Vasyl Lomachenko]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-13 |title=Lomachenko stops Linares with 10th-round TKO |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23485907 |access-date=2019-08-08 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> During Round 1, she experienced the first knock down of her professional career. She dropped down from 168 pounds to 160 for the fight. This was her first fight with trainer [[John David Jackson (boxer)|John David Jackson]], having worked with Jason Crutchfield for the previous 5.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Boxing News: Claressa Shields Training Camp Notes » April 22, 2019 |url=https://fightnews.com/claressa-shields-training-camp-notes/22598 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Fightnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Claressa Shields knocked down, but fights back to beat Hanna Gabriels |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/06/23/claressa-shields-boxing-hanna-gabriels/727757002/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>


On December 8, 2018, Shields' fight aired on [[HBO]], her first appearance on the network, a fight which was a part of the last boxing card to occur on HBO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/shields-opener-draws-peak-audience-last-hbo-boxing-card--134538|title=Shields Opener Draws Peak Audience In Last HBO Boxing Card|website=BoxingScene.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
On December 8, 2018, Shields' fight aired on [[HBO]], her first appearance on the network, a fight which was a part of the last boxing card to occur on HBO. She faced Femke Herman's outboxing her all 10 rounds for a unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shields Opener Draws Peak Audience In Last HBO Boxing Card |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/shields-opener-draws-peak-audience-last-hbo-boxing-card--134538 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=BoxingScene.com|date=December 11, 2018 }}</ref>


On April 13, 2019, Shields became the [[Undisputed champion|undisputed]] women's middleweight world champion, unifying the WBA, WBC, IBF and [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] middleweight titles, along with ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine's inaugural middleweight belt, after defeating [[Christina Hammer]] by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26518961|title=Shields beats up Hammer, wins undisputed title|date=April 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> The victory was a near shutout with two judges scoring the bout 98–91 while a third judge scored it 98–92.
On April 13, 2019, Shields became the [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] women's middleweight world champion, unifying the WBA, WBC, IBF and [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] middleweight titles, along with ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine's inaugural middleweight belt, after defeating [[Christina Hammer]] by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Shields beats up Hammer, wins undisputed title |url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26518961 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=ESPN}}</ref> The victory was a near shutout with two judges scoring the bout 98–91 while a third judge scored it 98–92.


Shields was scheduled to fight [[Ivana Habazin]] for the vacant WBO [[Light middleweight|junior middleweight]] title in Flint, Michigan, on October 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/08/claressa-shields-title-fight-in-flint-rescheduled-for-oct-5.html|title=Claressa Shields’ title fight vs. Ivana Habazin in Flint rescheduled |author=Brendan Savage|date=August 6, 2019|work=Michigan Live}}</ref> However, the fight was postponed due to Habazin's trainer being attacked at the weigh in.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IttPMjv_m-U |title=Ivana Habazin trainer sucker punched during weigh in with Claressa Shields |date=2019-10-05|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>
Shields was scheduled to fight [[Ivana Habazin]] for the vacant WBO [[Light middleweight|junior middleweight]] title in Flint, Michigan, on October 5, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brendan Savage |date=August 6, 2019 |title=Claressa Shields' title fight vs. Ivana Habazin in Flint rescheduled |url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/2019/08/claressa-shields-title-fight-in-flint-rescheduled-for-oct-5.html |website=Michigan Live}}</ref> However, the fight was postponed due to Habazin's trainer being attacked at the weigh in.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-05 |title=Ivana Habazin trainer sucker punched during weigh in with Claressa Shields |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IttPMjv_m-U |access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref> The fight eventually took place on January 10, 2020, with an all female ring (referee).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2019/11/claressa-shields-ivana-habazin-fight-rescheduled-for-jan-10|title=Claressa Shields-Ivana Habazin fight rescheduled for Jan. 10|date=November 16, 2019|website=boxingjunkie.usatoday.com|author=Norm Frauenheim}}</ref> The Atlantic boardwalk hall had a sold out Venue as Claressa won by unanimous decision, 99–89, 100–90 and 100–89, and became the fastest ever to win titles in 3 divisions male or female in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/28460976/claressa-shields-beats-ivana-habazin-junior-middleweight-title|title=Claressa Shields beats Ivana Habazin for junior middleweight title|date=January 11, 2020|work=[[ESPN]]|author=Dan Rafael}}</ref>


On March 5, 2021, Shields defeated [[Marie-Eve Dicaire]] by unanimous decision to retain her WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, claim IBF 154-pound belt, and vacant WBA light middleweight strap. With the win she became the first boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two weight classes, and the first female boxer to be an undisputed champion in two weight classes.<ref>https://www.mlive.com/sports/2021/03/whats-next-for-claressa-shields-after-winning-second-undisputed-world-boxing-title.html</ref><ref name="Claressaauto31">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/38979772/katie-taylor-gets-even-wins-chantelle-cameron-undisputed-title|title=Taylor gets even, wins Cameron's undisputed title|date=26 November 2023|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2021/03/06/claressa-shields-boxing-marie-eve-dicaire/4609121001/|title=Claressa Shields continues assault on women's boxing with dominant win, seeks revenge next|first=J. L.|last=Kirven|website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> This fight took place in Shields' hometown with a limited crowd due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christ |first=Scott |date=6 March 2021 |title=Shields vs Dicaire results: Claressa Shields dominates again, becomes two-division undisputed champion |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2021/3/6/22316396/shields-vs-dicaire-results-claressa-dominates-two-division-undisputed-champion-boxing-news-2021 |website=Bad Left Hook |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 2021 |title=Claressa Shields defeats Marie-Eve Dicaire to become two-weight undisputed champion |work=FIGHTMAG |url=https://www.fightmag.com.au/2021/03/06/claressa-shields-defeats-marie-eve-dicaire-to-become-two-weight-undisputed-champion/}}</ref>
On January 10, 2020, the battle between Shields and Habazin took place with an all female ring (referee). Claressa won by unanimous decision, 99–89, 100-90 and 100–89, and became the fastest ever to win titles in 3 divisions male or female in history.


Shields then faced [[Ema Kozin]] on February 5, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/32607627/claressa-shields-fight-ema-kozin-dec-11-part-new-multi-fight-deal-sky-sports-boxxer|title=Claressa Shields to fight Ema Kozin on Dec. 11 as part of new multifight deal with Sky Sports, BOXXER|date=November 11, 2021|work=[[ESPN]]|author=Michael Rothstein}}</ref> She captured a unanimous decision with all referees scoring every round for her, and retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, and ''The Ring'' female middleweight titles meanwhile winning the WBF female middleweight title also.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/60272725|title=Claressa Shields shines in win over Ema Kozin, while Caroline Dubois impresses on pro debut|date=February 6, 2022|work=[[BBC]]|author=Coral Barry}}</ref>
On March 5, 2021 Shields defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire by unanimous decision to retain her WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, claim IBF 154-pound belt, and vacant WBA light middleweight strap. With the win she has become the first world champion boxer in four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two different weight divisions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Christ |first1=Scott |title=Shields vs Dicaire results: Claressa Shields dominates again, becomes two-division undisputed champion |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2021/3/6/22316396/shields-vs-dicaire-results-claressa-dominates-two-division-undisputed-champion-boxing-news-2021 |website=Bad Left Hook |language=en |date=6 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Claressa Shields defeats Marie-Eve Dicaire to become two-weight undisputed champion |url=https://www.fightmag.com.au/2021/03/06/claressa-shields-defeats-marie-eve-dicaire-to-become-two-weight-undisputed-champion/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=6 March 2021}}</ref>

Shields was initially scheduled to face reigning [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] Middleweight Champion [[Savannah Marshall]] in a title unification bout on September 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/claressa-shields-and-savannah-marshall-will-face-on-sept-10|title= Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall will face on Sept. 10 |date=July 5, 2022|website=wbaboxing.com|author=Jesús Milano}}</ref> However, due to the [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|death of Queen Elizabeth II]] the bout was postponed to take place on October 15, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/09/claressa-shields-boxing-return-rescheduled-for-oct-15-postponement-queen-elizabeth-death|title=Claressa Shields' boxing return rescheduled for Oct. 15 after postponement due to passing of Queen Elizabeth II|date=September 20, 2022|work=[[MMAjunkie.com]]|author=Danny Segura}}</ref>

On the night of the fight, Shields went the full 10-round distance against Marshall. According to CompuBox stats, Shields outlanded Marshall 175 to 136; landed significantly more jabs, 44 to 14; and landed more power, 131 to 122. Shields won via unanimous decision with two judges scoring the fight 97–93 and one scoring it 96–94, all in favor of Shields to become the undisputed middleweight world champion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rothstein |first=Michael |date=October 15, 2022 |title=Claressa Shields defeats Savannah Marshall by unanimous decision |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/34802921/claressa-shields-defeats-savannah-marshall-unanimous-decision |access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref> This fight occurred at [[the O2 Arena]] and was the first time two female boxers headlined at a major venue in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Claressa Shields beats Savannah Marshall by unanimous decision in undisputed middleweight title fight |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12720944/shields-reigns-supreme-over-marshall-in-epic-undisputed-clash |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sensational Shields beats Marshall in epic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/63273495 |access-date=2022-10-16}}</ref> As well, the fight headlined the first all-female boxing card in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-10-15/savannah-marshall-loses-grudge-match-against-claressa-shields-in-close-battle|title=Savannah Marshall loses grudge match against Claressa Shields in fierce battle|date=16 October 2022|website=ITV News}}</ref>

Shields was scheduled to challenge [[Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse]] for her WBC heavyweight title at [[Little Caesars Arena]] in [[Detroit, MI]] on July 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Claressa Shields faces Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in Detroit in July |url=https://www.fightmag.com/claressa-shields-faces-vanessa-lepage-joanisse-in-detroit-in-july/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=4 June 2024}}</ref> The bout was contested at 175 pounds with the vacant WBO light heavyweight title also on the line.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing: Claressa Shields moves up to light-heavyweight to fight for world titles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cv22v4k3xv0o |work=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2024}}</ref> Shields won the fight via second-round TKO, dropping Joanisse three times along the way.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Shields vs Joanisse results, full fight card |url=https://www.fightmag.com/boxing-claressa-shields-vs-vanessa-lepage-joanisse-results/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=27 July 2024}}</ref>


==Professional mixed martial arts career==
==Professional mixed martial arts career==
In November 2020 news surfaced that Shields had signed a three-year contract with [[Professional Fighters League]] and is expected to make her mixed martial arts debut in 2021.<ref name=mmaf20 /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/15/22175879/claressa-shields-explains-why-she-joined-pfl-over-ufc-and-her-frustrations-current-state-of-boxing|title=Claressa Shields explains why she joined PFL over UFC and her frustrations with the current state of boxing |author=Damon Martin|date=December 15, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref> Since Shields first announced that her MMA debut, she has also begun training in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]] and has gone to train under IBJJF no gi World Champion Roberto Alencar, alongside Holly Holm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jitsmagazine.com/claressa-shields-starts-her-bjj-journey-under-roberto-alencar/|title=Claressa Shields Starts Her BJJ Journey Under Roberto Alencar|date=December 12, 2020|website=jitsmagazine.com|author=Kahtrine Burne}}</ref> She also started training at [[Greg Jackson (MMA trainer)|JacksonWink MMA]] in late 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/6/22156546/video-flying-knees-high-kicks-and-wrestling-claressa-shields-joins-jackson-wink-mma|title=Video: Flying knees, high kicks and wrestling: Claressa Shields joins Jackson Wink MMA|date=December 6, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>
In November 2020, Shields had signed a three-year contract with [[Professional Fighters League]] and was expected to make her mixed martial arts debut in 2021.<ref name="mmaf20" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Damon Martin |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Claressa Shields explains why she joined PFL over UFC and her frustrations with the current state of boxing |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/15/22175879/claressa-shields-explains-why-she-joined-pfl-over-ufc-and-her-frustrations-current-state-of-boxing |publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref> Since Shields first announced that her MMA debut, she has also begun training in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]] and has gone to train under IBJJF no gi World Champion Roberto Alencar, alongside [[Holly Holm]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kahtrine Burne |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Claressa Shields Starts Her BJJ Journey Under Roberto Alencar |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/claressa-shields-starts-her-bjj-journey-under-roberto-alencar/ |website=jitsmagazine.com}}</ref> She also started training at [[Jackson Wink MMA Academy|JacksonWink MMA]] in late 2020.<ref name="mmaf20b" />

Shields made her MMA debut at [[PFL 4 (2021 season)|PFL 4]] on June 10, 2021, against Brittney Elkin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=14 April 2021 |title=Boxing champ Claressa Shields faces Brittney Elkin in MMA debut as part of PFL card on June 10 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/4/14/22383678/boxing-champ-claressa-shields-faces-brittney-elkin-in-mma-debut-as-part-of-pfl-card-on-june-10 |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> She won the fight via technical knockout in round three.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-11|title=2021 PFL 4 results: Claressa Shields tested, rallies to win MMA debut by third-round TKO|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/06/2021-pfl-4-results-claressa-shields-wins-mma-debut-by-third-round-tko|access-date=2021-06-11|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}</ref>

Her second bout was initially scheduled to take place on the [[PFL 9 (2021 season)|PFL 9]] event on August 27, 2021, against an opponent yet to be named.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31689118/claressa-shields-fight-again-pfl-match-aug-27-florida|title=Claressa Shields to fight again in PFL match on Aug. 27 in Florida|author=Marc Raimondi|date=June 23, 201|work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> However, on July 12, 2021, news surfaced that her bout was rescheduled to take place on August 19, 2021, in order to garner more exposure at an ESPN-aired [[PFL 8 (2021 season)|PFL 8]] event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/12/22574460/claressa-shields-books-next-pfl-fight-on-aug-19-on-espn-expected-to-share-card-with-kayla-harrison|title=Claressa Shields books next PFL fight on Aug. 19 on ESPN, expected to share card with Kayla Harrison|author=Damon Martin|date=July 12, 2021|publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref> It was eventually rescheduled for [[PFL 10 (2021 season)|PFL 10]] on October 27, 2021, with Shields facing Abigail Montes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-12|title=Shields returns to PFL cage Oct. 27 vs. Montes|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/32008285/claressa-shields-returns-pfl-cage-october-27-abigail-montes|access-date=2021-08-12|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> Shields lost the bout via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-10-27|title=PFL Championship 2021: Abigail Montes Fights Smart Game Plan, Beats Claressa Shields|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/27/pfl-championship-2021-claressa-shields-vs-abigail-montes/|access-date=2021-10-28|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2023, it was announced that Shields had re-signed a multi-year contract with [[Professional Fighters League]] to continue competing in mixed martial arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/38161362/boxing-star-claressa-shields-inks-multiyear-mma-deal-pfl|title=Boxing star Claressa Shields inks multiyear MMA deal with PFL|date=August 9, 2023|work=[[ESPN]]|author=Brett Okamoto}}</ref>

Shields faced Kelsey DeSantis on February 24, 2024, at [[PFL vs. Bellator]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Latest PFL vs. Bellator 'Seize the Throne' fight card, rumors for Saudi Arabia event |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2024/1/24/24046866/latest-pfl-bellator-seize-throne-fight-card-rumors-date-location-start-time-saudi-arabia-espn-mma|website=mmamania.com |date=January 24, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> She was unable to make the appropriate weight for her fight with DeSantis, forcing her opponent to fight up two weight classes, with the bout taking place at 165 pounds. Shields won the bout via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PFL vs. Bellator results: Claressa Shields narrowly escapes massive upset with split nod over Kelsey DeSantis|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/2/24/24082258/pfl-vs-bellator-results-claressa-sheilds-narrowly-escapes-massive-upset-split-nod-kelsey-desantis|website=mmafighting.com|date=February 24, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Vice President Joe Biden (7885558782).jpg|thumb|Shields and Vice President [[Joe Biden]] in 2012. Shields introduced Biden during a [[Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign|2012 campaign]] stop in Michigan.]]
[[File:Vice President Joe Biden (7885558782).jpg|thumb|Shields and Vice President [[Joe Biden]] in 2012. Shields introduced Biden during a [[Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign|2012 campaign]] stop in Michigan.]]
Shields is from Flint, Michigan. Shields was baptized at age 13 (two years after she began boxing) and began attending a local church. She found strength in her Christian faith and eventually left home.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://world.wng.org/2016/07/four_to_watch|title=Four to watch: With faith, these Olympians run the races set before them|date=October 6, 2016|website=World.wng.com}}</ref>
Shields is from Flint, Michigan. Shields was baptized at age 13 (two years after she began boxing) and began attending a local church. She found strength in her Christian faith and eventually left home.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2016 |title=Four to watch: With faith, these Olympians run the races set before them |url=https://world.wng.org/2016/07/four_to_watch |website=World.wng.com}}</ref>


Shields attempted to adopt her cousin's daughter in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2015/10/25/with-her-life-in-order-claressa-shields-has-eye-on-second-olympic-gold-in-rio/|title=With her life in order, Claressa Shields has eye on second Olympic gold in Rio|date=October 25, 2015|publisher=World Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160814164757/http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2015/10/25/with-her-life-in-order-claressa-shields-has-eye-on-second-olympic-gold-in-rio/|archive-date=August 14, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Shields attempted to adopt her cousin's daughter in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2015 |title=With her life in order, Claressa Shields has eye on second Olympic gold in Rio |url=http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2015/10/25/with-her-life-in-order-claressa-shields-has-eye-on-second-olympic-gold-in-rio/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160814164757/http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2015/10/25/with-her-life-in-order-claressa-shields-has-eye-on-second-olympic-gold-in-rio/ |archive-date=August 14, 2016 |publisher=World Magazine |df=mdy-all}}</ref>


Shields is an ambassador for Up2Us Sports, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved youth by providing them with coaches trained in positive youth development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc12.com/news/headlines/Documentary-about-Claressa-Shields-comes-to-Flint-Institute-of-Arts--320654232.html|title=Documentary about Claressa Shields comes to Flint Institute of Arts|work=ABC 12|date=August 4, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415200354/http://www.abc12.com/news/headlines/Documentary-about-Claressa-Shields-comes-to-Flint-Institute-of-Arts--320654232.html|archive-date=April 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Shields is an ambassador for Up2Us Sports, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved youth by providing them with coaches trained in positive youth development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Documentary about Claressa Shields comes to Flint Institute of Arts |url=http://www.abc12.com/news/headlines/Documentary-about-Claressa-Shields-comes-to-Flint-Institute-of-Arts--320654232.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415200354/http://www.abc12.com/news/headlines/Documentary-about-Claressa-Shields-comes-to-Flint-Institute-of-Arts--320654232.html |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2017 |website=ABC 12}}</ref>


Shields is also an ambassador for gender equality in sports, particularly boxing, which she insists is under-covered by the media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zucker|first=Joseph|title=PFL's Claressa Shields Calls Out 'Sexist' Boxing, Cites Equal Pay Issues|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2920538-pfls-claressa-shields-calls-out-sexist-boxing-cites-equal-pay-issues|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Bleacher Report|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Claressa Shields keeps winning boxing titles. But she is still fighting for visibility.|language=en|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/sports/claressa-shields-womens-boxing-olympics-exposure/|access-date=2021-02-16}}</ref>
Shields is also an ambassador for gender equality in sports, particularly boxing, which is under-covered by the media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zucker |first=Joseph |title=PFL's Claressa Shields Calls Out 'Sexist' Boxing, Cites Equal Pay Issues |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2920538-pfls-claressa-shields-calls-out-sexist-boxing-cites-equal-pay-issues |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Claressa Shields keeps winning boxing titles. But she is still fighting for visibility. |language=en |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/sports/claressa-shields-womens-boxing-olympics-exposure/ |access-date=2021-02-16}}</ref>


In 2021 Shields followed a [[Pescetarianism|pescatarian]] diet,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-21 |title="I've Been a Pescatarian for Over a Year Now" - Claressa Shields |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/boxing-news-ive-been-a-pescatarian-for-over-a-year-now-claressa-shields/ |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=EssentiallySports}}</ref> and later appeared on an interview with [[Rhett & Link|Mythical Kitchen]] eating meat.
==Filmography==
Shields is the subject of the 2015 documentary "T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4151212/|title=T-Rex|date=June 24, 2016|website=IMDb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/t-rex-her-fight-for-gold/|title=T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold - Documentary about Olympic Boxer Claressa Shields - Independent Lens - PBS|website=Pbs.org}}</ref> In 2016 [[Universal Pictures]], a division of Comcast, which holds Olympic broadcast rights in the United States, acquired the rights to produce a film about her life story.<ref name="The Detroit News">{{cite web | url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2016/08/01/flint-boxer-claressa-shields-fighting-future/87942132/ | title=Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future | publisher=The Detroit News | date=3 August 2016 | access-date=4 August 2016 | author=Niyo, John}}</ref> [[Barry Jenkins]] is the screenwriter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/barry-jenkins-claressa-t-rex-shields-movie-universal-pictures-moonlight-1201832804/|title='Moonlight's Barry Jenkins To Script Story Of First American Female Gold Medal Boxer Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields|first1=Mike Jr. |last1=Fleming|date=October 7, 2016|website=Deadline.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> Entitled "[[Flint Strong]]", [[Rachel Morrison]] will be directing, with actress [[Ryan Destiny]] portraying Shields.


==In popular culture ==
Shields will be acting in the [[Susan Seidelman]]-directed film ''Punch Me''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Woodyard &#124; ewoodyar@mlive.com |url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2016/08/looking_ahead_to_whats_next_fo.html |title=Looking ahead to what's next for Claressa Shields |website=MLive.com |access-date=2017-02-27}}</ref>
Shields is the subject of the 2015 documentary ''T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2016 |title=T-Rex |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4151212/ |website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold - Documentary about Olympic Boxer Claressa Shields - Independent Lens - PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/t-rex-her-fight-for-gold/ |website=Pbs.org}}</ref>


In 2016 [[Universal Pictures]], a division of [[Comcast]], which holds Olympic broadcast rights in the United States, acquired the rights to produce a film about her life story, which was released in 2025 as ''[[The Fire Inside (film)|The Fire Inside]]''.<ref name="The Detroit News">{{Cite web |last=Niyo, John |date=3 August 2016 |title=Niyo: Flint's Claressa Shields fighting for her future |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2016/08/01/flint-boxer-claressa-shields-fighting-future/87942132/ |access-date=4 August 2016 |publisher=The Detroit News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=October 7, 2016 |title='Moonlight's Barry Jenkins To Script Story Of First American Female Gold Medal Boxer Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields |url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/barry-jenkins-claressa-t-rex-shields-movie-universal-pictures-moonlight-1201832804/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Deadline}}</ref> [[Ryan Destiny]] portrays Shields in the film.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Brian Tyree Henry Boards ''Flint Strong'' As Boxing Drama Finds New Studio Home, Restarts Shooting (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/brian-tyree-henry-flint-strong-1235154074/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=25 May 2022 |date=May 25, 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525190655/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/brian-tyree-henry-flint-strong-1235154074/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2018, Shields acted in a [[Walmart]] ad directed by [[Dee Rees]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2018/03/flints_claressa_shields_takes.html|title=Flint's Claressa Shields takes swing at acting in Walmart ad|first=Roberto|last=Acosta|date=March 5, 2018|website=mlive.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegrio.com/2018/03/02/365078/|title=WATCH: 'Mudbound' director, Dee Rees teams with Walmart to provide a shot for female filmmakers|first=Cortney|last=Wills|date=March 3, 2018|website=Thegrio.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>

In 2016 Shields was slated to act in the [[Susan Seidelman]]-directed film ''Punch Me''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodyard |first=Eric |date=August 24, 2016 |title=Looking ahead to what's next for Claressa Shields |url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2016/08/looking_ahead_to_whats_next_fo.html |access-date=2017-02-27 |website=MLive.com}}</ref>

In 2018, Shields acted in a [[Walmart]] ad directed by [[Dee Rees]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Acosta |first=Roberto |date=March 5, 2018 |title=Flint's Claressa Shields takes swing at acting in Walmart ad |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2018/03/flints_claressa_shields_takes.html |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=mlive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wills |first=Cortney |date=March 3, 2018 |title=WATCH: 'Mudbound' director, Dee Rees teams with Walmart to provide a shot for female filmmakers |url=https://thegrio.com/2018/03/02/365078/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Thegrio.com}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
In 2017, Shields won the [[Nickelodeon]] [[2017 Kids' Choice Sports|Kids' Choice Sports Award]] for "Biggest Powerhouse." <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2017/07/17/claressa-shields-wins-nickelodeon-kids-choice-sports-award-for-biggest-powerhouse/|title=Claressa Shields wins Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award for 'Biggest Powerhouse.'|date=July 17, 2017|website=Worldboxingnews.net|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org:443/USA-Boxing/Alumni/Features/2018/August/06/USA-Boxing-Alumni-Association-announces-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2018|title=USA Boxing Alumni Association announces Hall of Fame Class of 2018|website=Team USA|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> The [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] gave her the 2018 Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25560374/claressa-shields-wins-christy-martin-award-bwaa-female-fighter-year Claressa Shields wins Christy Martin Award as BWAA's female fighter of the year] - Dan Rafael, ESPN, 17 December 2018</ref>
In 2017, Shields won the [[Nickelodeon]] [[2017 Kids' Choice Sports|Kids' Choice Sports Award]] for "Biggest Powerhouse."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2017 |title=Claressa Shields wins Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award for 'Biggest Powerhouse.' |url=https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2017/07/17/claressa-shields-wins-nickelodeon-kids-choice-sports-award-for-biggest-powerhouse/ |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Worldboxingnews.net}}</ref>

In 2018, Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USA Boxing Alumni Association announces Hall of Fame Class of 2018 |url=https://www.teamusa.org:443/USA-Boxing/Alumni/Features/2018/August/06/USA-Boxing-Alumni-Association-announces-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807065600/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Alumni/Features/2018/August/06/USA-Boxing-Alumni-Association-announces-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |website=Team USA}}</ref>

The [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] gave her the 2018 [[Christy Martin (boxer)|Christy Martin]] Award - Female Fighter of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-17 |title=Shields named BWAA's female fighter of the year |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25560374/claressa-shields-wins-christy-martin-award-bwaa-female-fighter-year |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, Shields became the first woman to win the [[Best Boxer ESPY Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2023/07/claressa-shields-becomes-first-woman-to-win-best-boxer-espys-title.html|title=Claressa Shields becomes first woman to win 'Best Boxer' ESPYs title|author=Dylan Goetz |date=July 12, 2023|website=mlive}}</ref>


==Professional boxing record==
==Professional boxing record==
Line 106: Line 172:
|draws=
|draws=
|nc=
|nc=
|ko-wins=2
|ko-wins=3
|ko-losses=
|ko-losses=
|dec-wins=9
|dec-wins=12
|dec-losses=
|dec-losses=
|dq-wins=
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|dq-losses=
}}
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
Line 124: Line 190:
!Location
!Location
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse]]
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|1:09}}
|Jul 27, 2024
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Little Caesars Arena]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[List of WBC female world champions#Heavyweight|WBC]], and WBF female heavyweight, and vacant [[List of WBO female world champions#Light heavyweight|WBO female light heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Maricela Cornejo]]
|UD
|10
|Jun 3, 2023
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Little Caesars Arena]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and ''The Ring'' female middleweight titles}}
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Savannah Marshall]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 15, 2022
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The O2 Arena]], [[London]], England}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, WBF, and ''The Ring'' female middleweight titles;<br>Won WBO female middleweight title}}
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|align=left|[[Ema Kozin]]
|UD
|10
|Feb 5, 2022
|align=left|{{small|[[Cardiff International Arena|Motorpoint Arena Cardiff]], [[Cardiff]], Wales}}
|align=left|{{Small|Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, and ''The Ring'' female middleweight titles;<br>Won WBF female middleweight title}}
|-
|-
|11
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|11–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Marie-Eve Dicaire]]
|align=left|[[Marie-Eve Dicaire]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Mar 5, 2021
|Mar 5, 2021
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Dort Financial Center, [[Flint, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Dort Federal Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retains WBC and WBO female light middleweight titles;<br>Wins [[List of IBF female world champions#Junior middleweight|IBF]] and vacant [[List of WBA female world champions#Super welterweight|WBA (Super)]] and [[List of The Ring world champions#Junior middleweight|''The Ring'' female light middleweight titles]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC and WBO light middleweight titles; <br> Won [[List of IBF female world champions#Junior middleweight|IBF]], vacant [[List of WBA female world champions#Super welterweight|WBA (Super)]], and inaugural [[List of The Ring female world champions#Junior middleweight|''The Ring'' female light middleweight titles]]}}
|-
|-
|-
|10
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|10–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Ivana Habazin]]
|align=left|[[Ivana Habazin]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Jan 10, 2020
|Jan 10, 2020
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Ocean Casino Resort]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Ocean Casino Resort]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[List of WBC female world champions#Super welterweight|WBC]] and [[List of WBO female world champions#Junior middleweight|WBO light middleweight titles]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[List of WBC female world champions#Super welterweight|WBC]] and [[List of WBO female world champions#Junior middleweight|WBO female light middleweight titles]]}}
|-
|-
|9
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Christina Hammer]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Christina Hammer]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Apr 13, 2019
|Apr 13, 2019
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles;<br>Won [[list of WBO female world champions#Middleweight|WBO]] and inaugural [[list of The Ring world champions#Women's middleweight|''The Ring'' female middleweight titles]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles;<br>Won [[list of WBO female world champions#Middleweight|WBO]] and inaugural [[List of The Ring female world champions#Middleweight|''The Ring'' female middleweight titles]]}}
|-
|-
|8
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|BEL}} Femke Hermans
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Femke Hermans]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Dec 8, 2018
|Dec 8, 2018
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[StubHub Center]], [[Carson, California]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[StubHub Center]], [[Carson, California]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles}}
|-
|-
Line 168: Line 275:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Hannah Rankin]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Hannah Rankin]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Nov 17, 2018
|Nov 17, 2018
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Kansas Star Arena]], [[Mulvane, Kansas]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kansas Star Arena]], [[Mulvane, Kansas]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF female middleweight titles;<br>Won vacant [[list of WBC female world champions#Middleweight|WBC female middleweight title]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA and IBF female middleweight titles;<br>Won vacant [[list of WBC female world champions#Middleweight|WBC female middleweight title]]}}
|-
|-
Line 178: Line 285:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CRC}} [[Hanna Gabriel]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Hanna Gabriels]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Jun 22, 2018
|Jun 22, 2018
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of WBA female world champions#Middleweight|WBA]] and inaugural [[list of WBA female world champions#Middleweight|IBF female middleweight titles]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of WBA female world champions#Middleweight|WBA]] and inaugural [[list of IBF female world champions#Middleweight|IBF female middleweight titles]]}}
|-
|-
|5
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tori Nelson]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tori Nelson]]
|UD
|UD
|10
|10
|Jan 12, 2018
|Jan 12, 2018
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Turning Stone Resort Casino]], [[Verona, New York]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Turning Stone Resort Casino]], [[Verona, New York]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles;<br>Won [[Women Boxing Archive Network|WBAN]] lineal super middleweight title}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles;<br>Won [[Women Boxing Archive Network|WBAN]] lineal super middleweight title}}
|-
|-
Line 198: Line 305:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Nikki Adler]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Nikki Adler]]
|TKO
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:34}}
|5 (10), {{small|1:34}}
|Aug 4, 2017
|Aug 4, 2017
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|MGM Grand, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|MGM Grand, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of WBC female world champions#Super middleweight|WBC]] and inaugural [[list of IBF female world champions#Super middleweight|IBF female super middleweight titles]]}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of WBC female world champions#Super middleweight|WBC]] and inaugural [[list of IBF female world champions#Super middleweight|IBF female super middleweight titles]]}}
|-
|-
Line 208: Line 315:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Sydney LeBlanc
|style="text-align:left;"|Sydney LeBlanc
|UD
|UD
|8
|8
|Jun 16, 2017
|Jun 16, 2017
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Detroit Masonic Temple|Masonic Temple]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Detroit Masonic Temple|Masonic Temple]], Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[WBC Silver]] female [[super middleweight]] title}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[WBC Silver]] female [[super middleweight]] title}}
|-
|-
Line 218: Line 325:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|HUN}} Szilvia Szabados
|style="text-align:left;"|Szilvia Szabados
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|4 (6), {{small|1:30}}
|4 (6), {{small|1:30}}
|Mar 10, 2017
|Mar 10, 2017
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[MGM Grand Detroit|MGM Grand]], [[Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[MGM Grand Detroit|MGM Grand]], [[Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] female [[middleweight]] title}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] female [[middleweight]] title}}
|-
|-
Line 228: Line 335:
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]]
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Franchón Crews-Dezurn]]
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|4
|4
|[[Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward|Nov 19, 2016]]
|[[Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward|Nov 19, 2016]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[T-Mobile Arena]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[T-Mobile Arena]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|
|}
|}

==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=1
|sub-wins=
|dec-wins= 1
|ko-losses=0
|sub-losses=
|dec-losses=1
|
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}} Win
|align=center|2–1
|Kelsey DeSantis
|Decision (split)
|[[PFL vs. Bellator]]
|{{dts|2024|February|24}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia
|{{small|Super Lightweight (165 lb) bout.}}
|-
|{{no2}} Loss
|align=center|1–1
|Abigail Montes
|Decision (split)
|[[PFL 10 (2021 season)|PFL 10 (2021)]]
|{{dts|2021|October|27}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Hollywood, Florida]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}} Win
|align=center|1–0
|Brittney Elkin
|TKO (punches)
|[[PFL 4 (2021 season)|PFL 4 (2021)]]
|{{dts|2021|June|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:44
|[[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}
|-
{{end}}

==See also==
*[[List of boxing triple champions#List of women's triple champions|List of boxing triple champions]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Claressa Shields Successfully Defends Her Olympic Title |url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/claressa-shields-successfully-defends-her-olympic-championship |access-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031711/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/claressa-shields-successfully-defends-her-olympic-championship |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="fn">{{cite web |title=Photos: Claressa Shields through the years |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-claressa-shields-through-the-years |date=2020-12-01 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US |access-date=2021-06-12}}</ref>

<ref name="mmaf20">{{cite web |title=Boxing champ Claressa Shields signs with PFL for non-tourney lightweight fights |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/11/30/21754485/boxing-champ-claressa-shields-signs-with-pfl-for-non-tourney-lightweight-fights |author1=Steven Marrocco |date=November 30, 2020 |publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>

<ref name="mmaf20b">{{cite web |title=Video: Flying knees, high kicks and wrestling: Claressa Shields joins Jackson Wink MMA |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/6/22156546/video-flying-knees-high-kicks-and-wrestling-claressa-shields-joins-jackson-wink-mma |date=December 6, 2020 |publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>

<ref name="oriordan">{{cite news |title=Women's boxing - in a New Yorker state of mind |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/women-s-boxing-in-a-new-yorker-state-of-mind-1.515219 |last=O'Riordan |first=Ian |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |access-date=2021-05-30}}</ref>

<ref name="usatoday">[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/story/2012-05-07/Claressa-Shields-boxing/54814464/1 "Claressa Shields determined to make London Olympics."] USA Today, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref>

}}


===Further reading===
===Further reading===
*{{cite journal |last=Levy |first=Ariel |author-link=Ariel Levy (journalist) |date=May 7, 2012 |title=A Ring of One's Own |url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/05/07/120507fa_fact_levy |journal=[[The New Yorker]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] }}
*{{cite magazine |last=Levy |first=Ariel |author-link=Ariel Levy (writer) |date=May 7, 2012 |title=A Ring of One's Own |url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/05/07/120507fa_fact_levy |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |location=[[New York City|New York]]}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*{{Boxrec|id=777865}}
* {{BoxRec|777865}}
* {{Sherdog|381927}}
*[http://www.teamusa.org/usa-boxing/athletes/Claressa-Shields Claressa Shields profile] at TeamUSA
*[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/29/magazine/boxing-women.html America's Boxing Women Aim for the Olympics] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [https://www.pflmma.com/fighter/claressa-shields Claressa Shields] at [[Professional Fighters League|PFL]]
* {{Team USA|new_id=claressa-shields-817852|old_id=SH/Claressa-Shields|archive=20230318103441}}
*{{IMDb title|tt4151212|T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold}}
* {{Olympics.com|claressa-maria-shields|Claressa Maria Shields|org_id=claressa-shields|org_name=Claressa Shields}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/29/magazine/boxing-women.html America's Boxing Women Aim for the Olympics] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* {{IMDb title|tt4151212|T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold}}


{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}
{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
|-
{{s-break}}
{{s-non|reason=Inaugural champion}}
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[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing]]
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2015 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships medalists]]
[[Category:AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships medalists]]
[[Category:Pan American Games medalists in boxing]]
[[Category:World light-middleweight boxing champions]]
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[[Category:Medalists at the 2015 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Olivet College alumni]]
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Latest revision as of 16:25, 8 January 2025

Claressa Shields
Shields at Collision 2022
BornClaressa Maria Shields[1]
(1995-03-17) March 17, 1995 (age 29)
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Division
Reach68 in (173 cm)[2]
StyleBoxing
TeamJackson Wink MMA Academy (2020–present) (MMA)[3]
Years active2017–present
Professional boxing record
Total15
Wins15
By knockout3
Mixed martial arts record
Total3
Wins2
By knockout1
By decision1
Losses1
By decision1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Women's amateur boxing
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2012 London Middleweight
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Middleweight
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2014 Jeju Middleweight
Gold medal – first place 2016 Astana Middleweight
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2015 Toronto Light heavyweight

Claressa Maria Shields[1] (born March 17, 1995) is an American professional boxer and professional mixed martial artist. She has held multiple world championships in five weight classes, including the undisputed female light middleweight title in March 2021; the undisputed female middleweight title twice between 2019 and 2024, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) female light heavyweight title and the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) female heavyweight titles since July 2024; WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles from 2017 to 2018. Shields currently holds the record for becoming a two and three division world champion in the fewest professional fights.[4] As of October 2022, she is ranked the world's best active female middleweight by BoxRec,[5] as well as the best active female boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN[6] and The Ring.[7]

Shields is one of only four boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO, in two weight classes.

In a decorated amateur career, Shields won gold medals in the women's middleweight division at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, making her the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals.[8] Shields was the youngest boxer at the February 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the event in the 165 lb (75 kg) middleweight division.[9][10][11] In May, she qualified for the 2012 Games, the first year in which women's boxing was an Olympic event,[12] and went on to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.[13] In 2018, the Boxing Writers Association of America named her the Female Fighter of the Year.[14]

Shields is also a professional mixed martial artist, competing in the Professional Fighters League.[15]

Early life

[edit]

Shields was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where she was a high school junior in May 2012.[9][10] She was introduced to boxing by her father, Bo Shields, who had boxed in underground leagues.[10][16] Bo was in prison from the time Shields was two to nine years old. After his release, he talked to her about boxer Laila Ali, piquing her interest in the sport.[17] Bo, however, believed that boxing was a men's sport and refused to allow Shields to pursue it until she was eleven.[10][16][18] At that time she began boxing at Berston Field House in Flint, where she met her coach and trainer, Jason Crutchfield.[16] Shields credits her grandmother with encouraging her to not accept restrictions based on her gender.[10][19]

Amateur career

[edit]
Shields with her Olympic gold medal in 2012

After winning two Junior Olympic championships, Shields competed in her first open-division tournament, the National Police Athletic League Championships 2011; she won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter and also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.[20][21] At the 2012 Olympic Trials, she defeated the reigning national champion, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, the 2010 world champion, Andrecia Wasson, and Pittsburgh's Tika Hemingway to win the middleweight class.[20][10] In April 2011, she won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario against three-time defending world champion Mary Spencer of Canada; she held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point.[10][16][22]

Following Shields' victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials, it was initially reported that she would need only a top-8 finish at the 2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, in order to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.[11]

On May 10, the day after the contest began but before Shields' first bout, a change to the rules was announced that meant Shields would need to place in the top two from the (North, Central, and South) American Boxing Confederation region of AIBA (AMBC).[23]

Shields won her first round but was beaten in the second round on May 13 to Savannah Marshall of England, bringing Shields' record to 26–1.[24]

Shields (in red) vs. Yenebier Guillén Benítez, 2015

Her chances for qualification thus depended on Marshall's subsequent performance; after Marshall advanced to the middleweight finals on May 18, it was announced that Shields had earned an Olympic berth.[25] At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, aged 17, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division after beating veteran Russian boxer Nadezda Torlopova 19–12.[12][26] This made her the first American woman to win a boxing gold medal.[27]

In 2014, Shields won the World Championship gold medal,[28] and the following year, she became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American Games.[29] As a result of her performance in the Pan American Games, she was given the honour of serving as Team USA's flag bearer at the closing ceremony.[30]

Shields won the gold medal at the 2016 AMBC Olympic Qualifying tournament in Argentina defeating Dominican Republic's Yenebier Guillen in her final bout on her 21st birthday.[31][25] Later that year at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, she won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division by defeating Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands. She was awarded the inaugural women's division of the Val Barker Trophy at the competition.[32] Her back-to-back Olympic gold medal wins made her the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic titles.[8]

Her amateur boxing record was 64 wins (5 by knockout[24][33][34]) and 1 loss.[35][36]

Professional boxing career

[edit]
Claressa Shields in 2016

In November 2016, Shields officially went pro. She won her first match, against Franchón Crews-Dezurn, by unanimous decision.[37]

On March 10, 2017, she faced Szilvia Szabados for the North American Boxing Federation middleweight title, and won by TKO. This was the main event on ShoBox, with a regional title fight between Antonio Nieves and Nikolai Potapov serving as the co-main event.[38] It was the first time a women's boxing bout was the main event on a United States premium network card.[39][40]

On June 16, 2017, Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl," facing Sydney LeBlanc in her first scheduled eight-round bout. LeBlanc signed on with three days notice, after Mery Rancier dropped out due to visa issues.[41][42] Shields won the bout by decision after all eight rounds.[43]

On August 4, 2017, Shields defeated defending champ Nikki Adler at MGM Grand Detroit for the WBC super-middleweight belt and the vacant IBF super-middleweight belt. By 5th Rd TKO the ref had to jump in to protect The undefeated Nikki Adler. The fight was broadcast on Showtime.[44]

On January 12, 2018, Shields retained her WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles, and won the WBAN super-middleweight title by defeating 17-0 Tori Nelson. It was Shields' first time going all 10 rounds in her professional career.[45][46][47]

On June 22, 2018, in just her sixth professional fight, Shields defeated Hanna Gabriel by unanimous decision, winning the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight belts, breaking the record for becoming a two-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights, a record previously held by Vasyl Lomachenko.[48] During Round 1, she experienced the first knock down of her professional career. She dropped down from 168 pounds to 160 for the fight. This was her first fight with trainer John David Jackson, having worked with Jason Crutchfield for the previous 5.[49][50]

On December 8, 2018, Shields' fight aired on HBO, her first appearance on the network, a fight which was a part of the last boxing card to occur on HBO. She faced Femke Herman's outboxing her all 10 rounds for a unanimous decision.[51]

On April 13, 2019, Shields became the undisputed women's middleweight world champion, unifying the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO middleweight titles, along with The Ring magazine's inaugural middleweight belt, after defeating Christina Hammer by unanimous decision.[52] The victory was a near shutout with two judges scoring the bout 98–91 while a third judge scored it 98–92.

Shields was scheduled to fight Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title in Flint, Michigan, on October 5, 2019.[53] However, the fight was postponed due to Habazin's trainer being attacked at the weigh in.[54] The fight eventually took place on January 10, 2020, with an all female ring (referee).[55] The Atlantic boardwalk hall had a sold out Venue as Claressa won by unanimous decision, 99–89, 100–90 and 100–89, and became the fastest ever to win titles in 3 divisions male or female in history.[56]

On March 5, 2021, Shields defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire by unanimous decision to retain her WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, claim IBF 154-pound belt, and vacant WBA light middleweight strap. With the win she became the first boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two weight classes, and the first female boxer to be an undisputed champion in two weight classes.[57][58][59] This fight took place in Shields' hometown with a limited crowd due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[60][61]

Shields then faced Ema Kozin on February 5, 2022.[62] She captured a unanimous decision with all referees scoring every round for her, and retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles meanwhile winning the WBF female middleweight title also.[63]

Shields was initially scheduled to face reigning WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in a title unification bout on September 10, 2022.[64] However, due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II the bout was postponed to take place on October 15, 2022.[65]

On the night of the fight, Shields went the full 10-round distance against Marshall. According to CompuBox stats, Shields outlanded Marshall 175 to 136; landed significantly more jabs, 44 to 14; and landed more power, 131 to 122. Shields won via unanimous decision with two judges scoring the fight 97–93 and one scoring it 96–94, all in favor of Shields to become the undisputed middleweight world champion.[66] This fight occurred at the O2 Arena and was the first time two female boxers headlined at a major venue in the United Kingdom.[67][68] As well, the fight headlined the first all-female boxing card in the United Kingdom.[69]

Shields was scheduled to challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for her WBC heavyweight title at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI on July 27, 2024.[70] The bout was contested at 175 pounds with the vacant WBO light heavyweight title also on the line.[71] Shields won the fight via second-round TKO, dropping Joanisse three times along the way.[72]

Professional mixed martial arts career

[edit]

In November 2020, Shields had signed a three-year contract with Professional Fighters League and was expected to make her mixed martial arts debut in 2021.[15][73] Since Shields first announced that her MMA debut, she has also begun training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has gone to train under IBJJF no gi World Champion Roberto Alencar, alongside Holly Holm.[74] She also started training at JacksonWink MMA in late 2020.[3]

Shields made her MMA debut at PFL 4 on June 10, 2021, against Brittney Elkin.[75] She won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[76]

Her second bout was initially scheduled to take place on the PFL 9 event on August 27, 2021, against an opponent yet to be named.[77] However, on July 12, 2021, news surfaced that her bout was rescheduled to take place on August 19, 2021, in order to garner more exposure at an ESPN-aired PFL 8 event.[78] It was eventually rescheduled for PFL 10 on October 27, 2021, with Shields facing Abigail Montes.[79] Shields lost the bout via split decision.[80]

In August 2023, it was announced that Shields had re-signed a multi-year contract with Professional Fighters League to continue competing in mixed martial arts.[81]

Shields faced Kelsey DeSantis on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator.[82] She was unable to make the appropriate weight for her fight with DeSantis, forcing her opponent to fight up two weight classes, with the bout taking place at 165 pounds. Shields won the bout via split decision.[83]

Personal life

[edit]
Shields and Vice President Joe Biden in 2012. Shields introduced Biden during a 2012 campaign stop in Michigan.

Shields is from Flint, Michigan. Shields was baptized at age 13 (two years after she began boxing) and began attending a local church. She found strength in her Christian faith and eventually left home.[84]

Shields attempted to adopt her cousin's daughter in 2014.[85]

Shields is an ambassador for Up2Us Sports, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underserved youth by providing them with coaches trained in positive youth development.[86]

Shields is also an ambassador for gender equality in sports, particularly boxing, which is under-covered by the media.[87][88]

In 2021 Shields followed a pescatarian diet,[89] and later appeared on an interview with Mythical Kitchen eating meat.

[edit]

Shields is the subject of the 2015 documentary T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold.[90][91]

In 2016 Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast, which holds Olympic broadcast rights in the United States, acquired the rights to produce a film about her life story, which was released in 2025 as The Fire Inside.[92][93] Ryan Destiny portrays Shields in the film.[94]

In 2016 Shields was slated to act in the Susan Seidelman-directed film Punch Me.[95]

In 2018, Shields acted in a Walmart ad directed by Dee Rees.[96][97]

Awards

[edit]

In 2017, Shields won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award for "Biggest Powerhouse."[98]

In 2018, Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.[99]

The Boxing Writers Association of America gave her the 2018 Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year.[100]

In 2023, Shields became the first woman to win the Best Boxer ESPY Award.[101]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
15 fights 15 wins 0 losses
By knockout 3 0
By decision 12 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
15 Win 15–0 Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse TKO 2 (10), 1:09 Jul 27, 2024 Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won WBC, and WBF female heavyweight, and vacant WBO female light heavyweight titles
14 Win 14–0 Maricela Cornejo UD 10 Jun 3, 2023 Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles
13 Win 13–0 Savannah Marshall UD 10 Oct 15, 2022 The O2 Arena, London, England Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles;
Won WBO female middleweight title
12 Win 12–0 Ema Kozin UD 10 Feb 5, 2022 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales Retained WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles;
Won WBF female middleweight title
11 Win 11–0 Marie-Eve Dicaire UD 10 Mar 5, 2021 Dort Federal Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBC and WBO light middleweight titles;
Won IBF, vacant WBA (Super), and inaugural The Ring female light middleweight titles
10 Win 10–0 Ivana Habazin UD 10 Jan 10, 2020 Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant WBC and WBO female light middleweight titles
9 Win 9–0 Christina Hammer UD 10 Apr 13, 2019 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles;
Won WBO and inaugural The Ring female middleweight titles
8 Win 8–0 Femke Hermans UD 10 Dec 8, 2018 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and IBF female middleweight titles
7 Win 7–0 Hannah Rankin UD 10 Nov 17, 2018 Kansas Star Arena, Mulvane, Kansas, U.S. Retained WBA and IBF female middleweight titles;
Won vacant WBC female middleweight title
6 Win 6–0 Hanna Gabriels UD 10 Jun 22, 2018 Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won vacant WBA and inaugural IBF female middleweight titles
5 Win 5–0 Tori Nelson UD 10 Jan 12, 2018 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. Retained WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles;
Won WBAN lineal super middleweight title
4 Win 4–0 Nikki Adler TKO 5 (10), 1:34 Aug 4, 2017 MGM Grand, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won WBC and inaugural IBF female super middleweight titles
3 Win 3–0 Sydney LeBlanc UD 8 Jun 16, 2017 Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won vacant WBC Silver female super middleweight title
2 Win 2–0 Szilvia Szabados TKO 4 (6), 1:30 Mar 10, 2017 MGM Grand, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won vacant NABF female middleweight title
1 Win 1–0 Franchón Crews-Dezurn UD 4 Nov 19, 2016 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
3 matches 2 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By decision 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–1 Kelsey DeSantis Decision (split) PFL vs. Bellator February 24, 2024 3 5:00 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Super Lightweight (165 lb) bout.
Loss 1–1 Abigail Montes Decision (split) PFL 10 (2021) October 27, 2021 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Brittney Elkin TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2021) June 10, 2021 3 1:44 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Lightweight debut.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Photos: Claressa Shields through the years". MMA Junkie. December 1, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Claressa Shields ("T-Rex") | Boxer Page". Tapology. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Video: Flying knees, high kicks and wrestling: Claressa Shields joins Jackson Wink MMA". mmafighting.com. December 6, 2020.
  4. ^ "Claressa Shields dominates Ivana Habazin, becomes fastest fighter to win titles in three weight classes". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  5. ^ "BoxRec: Female light middleweight ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Where do Taylor and Serrano land?". ESPN. October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "The Ring Women's Ratings". The Ring. September 8, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Claressa Shields Successfully Defends Her Olympic Title". Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  9. ^ a b O'Riordan, Ian. "Women's boxing - in a New Yorker state of mind". The Irish Times. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Claressa Shields determined to make London Olympics." USA Today, May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
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Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Claressa Shields.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Inaugural champion NABF female
middleweight champion
March 10, 2017 – August 2017
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Raquel Miller
Minor world boxing titles
New title WBC Silver female
super middleweight champion
June 16, 2017 – August 4, 2017
Won world title 		Vacant
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by WBC female
super middleweight champion
August 4, 2017 – September 2018
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Franchón Crews-Dezurn
Inaugural champion IBF female
super middleweight champion
August 4, 2017 – June 2018
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Elin Cederroos
Vacant
Title last held by
Teresa Perozzi 		WBA female
middleweight champion
June 22, 2018 – present 		Incumbent
Inaugural champion IBF female
middleweight champion
June 22, 2018 – present
Vacant
Title last held by
Christina Hammer 		WBC female
middleweight champion
November 17, 2018 – present
Preceded by
Christina Hammer
 WBO female
middleweight champion
April 13, 2019 – September 16, 2020 		Vacant
Title next held by
Savannah Marshall
Inaugural champion The Ring female
middleweight champion
April 13, 2019 – present 		Incumbent
Undisputed female
middleweight champion
April 13, 2019 – September 16, 2020
Titles fragmented 		Vacant
Title next held by
Herself
Vacant
Title last held by
Ewa Piątkowska 		WBC light middleweight champion
January 10, 2020 – November 26, 2021 		Vacant
Title next held by
Patricia Berghult
Vacant
Title last held by
Hanna Gabriels 		WBO light middleweight champion
January 10, 2020 – November 26, 2021
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Natasha Jonas
Inaugural champion WBA light middleweight champion
Super title
March 5, 2021 – December 3, 2021
Vacated 		Vacant
Preceded by IBF light middleweight champion
March 5, 2021 – December 3, 2021
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Marie-Eve Dicaire
Inaugural champion The Ring female
light middleweight champion
March 5, 2021 – December 3, 2021
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Natasha Jonas
Undisputed female
light middleweight champion
March 5, 2021 – November 26, 2021
Titles fragmented 		Vacant
Preceded by WBO female
middleweight champion
October 15, 2022 – present 		Incumbent
Vacant
Title last held by
Herself 		Undisputed female
middleweight champion
October 15, 2022 – present
Awards
Previous:
Cecilia Brækhus 		BWAA Female Fighter of the Year
2018 		Succeeded by
Records
Preceded by Fewest professional fights
to win a major world title
in two weight classes
6
June 22, 2018 – present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Vasyl Lomachenko
12
 Fewest professional fights
to win a major world title
in three weight classes
10
January 10, 2020 – present
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