Living up to her self-proclaimed title of GWOAT — the greatest woman of all time — Claressa Shields outmaneuvered her longtime rival Savannah Marshall in a dramatic fight that showcased the best of women’s boxing on a significant night for the sport.
Shields, a Flint, Michigan, native who has worked her way up through major headwinds in the male-dominated world of combat sports, was crowned the undisputed middleweight champion on Saturday night following an unanimous decision victory, extending her undefeated professional record to 13-0.
The blockbuster fight, which headlined a sold-out all-women’s boxing event at London’s O2 Arena, was an entertaining affair fueled by vicious exchanges and a wild pace that delighted the raucous crowd. And although Marshall proved to be a formidable opponent, it was Shields who emerged victorious after dominating the first half of the bout with her impressive technical skills and clean combinations — a fitting end to a night in which the women’s card stood out amid a crowded slate of showcase boxing events, the others headlined by men.