Undisputed boxing champ bringing attention back to the sport
Claressa Shields is one of the greatest female boxers of all time
Boxer and Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields already has all the belts at 160 pounds. She has two belts at 168 pounds. Now, she's in her third division at 154 pounds.
The two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist told FOX Business' Charles Payne she is hoping to become the fastest boxer -- male or female -- to become a three-time division world champion.
Claressa Shields of the USA reacts after winning her bout against Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands. (REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
Shields believes she brought a lot of attention back to women's boxing when she turned professional.
"It had kind of died after Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker," Shields said on "Making Money with Charles Payne."
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Now, she said, women's boxing has a lot of great female fighters.
Claressa Shields of the USA and Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands compete. (REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
"It's just about branding, having that attitude," Shields said. "You know, being bold about what we do, embracing the fact that we're pretty women, but we've got big muscles, and we can fight."
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Shields said it's time for the world to realize its a different time now.
Claressa Shields wears her national flag as she celebrates after winning her bout. (REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
"There are more Serena Williams and Claressa Shields coming up, and we need to be accepted," Shields said.
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"It's just about branding, having that attitude. You know, being bold about what we do, embracing the fact that we're pretty women, but we've got big muscles, and we can fight."
Shields will finally fight Croatia's Ivana Habazin on Jan. 10, 2020, for a couple of middleweight world titles. Habazin holds a welterweight world title and is on a five-fight winning streak. Shields was set to fight Habazin back on Aug. 17 in her hometown of Flint, Michigan, but she dislocated her right knee, so the fight was postponed to Oct. 5.
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But, then on Oct. 4, Habazin's 68-year-old trainer James Ali Bashir was allegedly attacked by Shields' brother, Artis Mack. Mach was reportedly charged with assault in connection to the incident.