Claressa Shields ‘stands amongst’ elite champions similar to Oleksandr Usyk forward of her bid to unify the heavyweight division, says promoter Dmitriy Salita.
The American star has already been topped as a world champion in 5 weight divisions and may match Oleksandr Usyk’s achievements when she bids to change into an undisputed world title holder at heavyweight subsequent month.
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Could final 12 months to safe all the most important belts within the prime division and defended three of them in a rematch win over his British rival final month, whereas Shields battles Danielle Perkins for the WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO titles in Michigan on February 2.
“Boxing is an individual sport, making it incredibly challenging to compare the unique and remarkable accomplishments of these two great fighters,” Dmitriy Salita, who promotes Shields, informed Sky Sports activities.
“What units Claressa aside from everybody else in boxing – previous or current – is her ground-breaking achievements as a pioneer in ladies’s sports activities.
“She has been the first to accomplish many feats, breaking barriers and opening doors for equality while remaining utterly dominant in the ring.”
Each Usyk and Shields beforehand excelled within the newbie ranks, with the Ukrainian claiming gold on the 2012 Olympic Video games, and Shields additionally took gold in London and in Rio 4 years later.
The 29-year-old avenged the one loss on her report, a World newbie Championship loss to Savannah Marshall, with a unanimous choice win to change into undisputed super-middleweight champion in entrance of an enormous televised viewers and packed out crowd at The O2.
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Watch highlights of the epic between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall in a fight-of-the-year contender!
“Claressa is undoubtedly an all-time great, not only because of her unparalleled list of achievements but also due to her unwavering belief and determination,” stated Salita.
“Growing up as a young girl in Flint, Michigan, one of the most challenging environments in the United States, she had the resilience to rise above her circumstances and prove that neither her surroundings nor her gender could define her limits.
“For these causes, Claressa is a generational expertise and stands among the many all-time greats on the planet of sports activities.”
Shields can lengthen her 15-bout unbeaten report towards Perkins, who’s undefeated in 5 fights.
May Shields return to Britain for Value showdown?
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Talking on the Toe2Toe podcast, Lauren Value discusses which fights she desires subsequent after changing into the unified welterweight champion in Could
Lauren Value, the WBA welterweight champion, has admitted she would welcome a battle towards Shields on the Principality Stadium in entrance of her house assist in Wales.
“It’s hard to put anything past Olympic champions. She won the Olympics 2021,” Shields, who has fought one division above at super-welterweight, informed Sky Sports activities final 12 months.
“I feel like when you’ve been all over the world and you’ve boxed and you’ve won World championships, it’s kind of destined for you to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”
However Value should first overcome Natasha Jonas of their world title unification battle at Royal Albert Corridor on March 7.
Watch Jonas vs Value on March 7, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
