Claressa Shields wouldn’t let a shoulder injury keep her from the story

Primarily relying on constant right hooks and right over -handing out of an orthodox attitude, Danced Shields around the larger Perkins and remained out of her longer reach. She used her speed to enter before she let her right hand free to show her new power at heavy weight.

She won her first heavyweight fight at technical knockout in July and showed off this power against Perkins through the last round. Perkins had begun to fight back with ambiguities in rounds 4 and 5 before landing some powerful strikes for the next few rounds that damaged Shields’ face. The two continued to deal with big blows until Shields landed a right hook with less than 20 seconds left to score the only knockdown of the match, who got a victory by unanimous decision.

Shields became the first boxer, male or woman who won undisputed titles in three different weight classes, the first female boxer to won an undisputed heavy weight championship and the first American, male or female, to unite the heavyweight crown since 1992.

“That girl was strong like hell,” Shields said, sporting a black left eye. “She’s super-strong. She was definitely a problem. My experience and my abilities got me over. And listen, I’ve been in lots of street fighting and I had to use some of my abilities in it.”

The packed audience spent most of the fight on the feet that egged on shields to end Perkins. Each time Shields landed a hit, whether it was a clean shot or just brushing the Perkins’ arm, The audience got loud. They also used the temporary breaks in action to sing “Whoop that trick” Like an ode to one of the songs used to enter the arena.

“Flint is another type of place, I can tell you,” Shields said with a broad smile. “Like the people we have here, they fight fans for one, they are so supportive and they just take you for who you are.”

After getting his arm raised to name her master, Shields remained in the ring to take pictures with members of the Flint Society, such as Mayor Sheldon Neeley, and anyone who asked for one. As she slowly walked out of the arena to her dressing room, she continued to stop for pictures and autographs to the hometown of the hometown.

“When I buzzed her in the third round, I think it was the third, and when I dropped her in the 10th. I heard – it was like fireworks that went all over the ring,” Shields said. “It was just crazy. I’ve been fighting in many places, but there’s nowhere like fighting in Detroit or fighting in flint. Fighted up in Detroit or Flint, they got the best fans in the world for me.”

She chose to host the match night in her hometown rather than New York or Las Vegas, she said, because she would give back to the community that has supported her through the journey to 16-0, championships in five weight classes (including the three undisputed ) and two Olympic gold medals.

She described it as the “perfect time” to return home because of her biographical film, “The Fire Inside”, which was released in December.

“I knew and wanted a historical battle – to fight for the heavyweight undisputed championship and the first woman who ever did – this is definitely a big moment for me and I’m really excited and I’m glad That I was able to bring it home, “Shields said.

Claressa Shields goes in to fight Danielle Perkins for women’s tongue -weight crown in flint

Claressa Shields agrees to fight Danielle Perkins for undisputed women’s heavyweight crown in Flint at Dort Financial Center on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

Shields moved up to heavy weight to pursue a championship in his fifth weight class last summer. After completing it in Detroit in July, she decided “It’s not enough” and returned to fight for the undisputed title in her persecution to become the biggest boxer ever. So she would plan the fight with Perkins, who came in as an avoided heavy weight because of her power.

Despite her left shoulder injury, Shields’ blows had more power thanks to the extra time spent in a heavier weight. Although Perkins’ strength was clear on each stans, Shields was convinced that she also left a mark on each hit, not only the last hook that dropped her.

“I put her down and let her know as if you are talking about the things as if I have no power,” Shields said. “I’m the only one by power that got the power in here. You’re just big and strong.”

Shields’ feelings took over when she was asked where her persecution of the title “Greatest of All Time” stands after the latest championship victory.

“I’m 16-0-It is my first time to say that since it happened, 16-0,” Shields said. “Tried to pick up my fourth knockout today. I didn’t, so I’m 16-0 with three knockouts. But I really couldn’t be proud and I’m just happy to go in for women’s boxing and just push the game forward .

Jared Ramsey are sports reporter for Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on x @jared_ramsey22and e -mail him [email protected].