Boxing is a sport known for its electric personalities and one of those returns on Sunday night live on DAZN in the form of Claressa Shields.
The self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ is on a quest to become a three-weight undisputed champion when she takes on Danielle Perkins in Flint, Michigan. A win would add another accolade to what is already a stacked resume.
However, while Shields will not be overlooking Perkins, those on the outside are thinking about what could be next and whether Shields should continue her boxing career with testing challenges fading away at a rapid pace.
It’s no secret that women’s boxing is one which struggles for depth of talent. It’s evident in how quickly fighters can earn themselves a world title shot.
For example, Shields won the IBF and WBC women’s super middleweight titles in just her fourth professional fight!
This is no criticism towards Shields. She was an Olympic gold medallist and has proven in every one of her 15 wins as a professional that she is a top talent in women’s boxing.
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That includes headlining an all-female bill in London three years ago against Savannah Marshall for the undisputed middleweight title.
At the age of 29, there is still plenty of gas in the tank.
What has been a common sight in women’s boxing is the best fighting the best. Take the two epic clashes between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul has even mentioned the possibility of making a fight between the Puerto Rican and Shields.
This would mean that Shields would have to move down in weight, and why it’s an idea that she seems to be onboard with, the ‘GWOAT’ is convinced that Serrano would refuse to face her regardless.
Shields even told DAZN’s Ariel x Ade: The Boxing Show that current WBO super middleweight champion Shadashia Green is in her sights if she gets past Perkins. However, this, unfortunately, is not a fight which would capture the imagination of a mass boxing audience.
This leaves boxing experts and fans scraping the barrel when it comes to who Shields could face next in the sweet science and whether she has anything left to give to boxing.
Luckily for Shields, she has opened up another avenue when it comes to her combat sports career in the ever-growing world of Mixed Martial Arts.
From the ring to the cage
Signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Shields is hoping to prove that top-level boxers can make a smooth transition between the disciplines and excel.
With a 2-1 record, Shields is making good progress, but already she is being steered towards a showdown inside the SmartCage with rival Marshall.
While this is an intriguing prospect between two rivals, whose rivalry has been formed inside the boxing ring, even PFL founder Donn Davis believes that the two need to build up some momentum before going head-to-head.
This leaves Shields in a cloud of uncertainty when it comes to her career.
Women’s boxing is something that needs to continue developing. Unfortunately there is not a steady stream of fighters who are on the same level as the likes of Shields, Taylor and Serrano.
If Shields does beat Perkins to become a three-weight undisputed champion it will be an achievement which needs to be applauded, regardless of the level of the opponent in the opposite corner. Shields will have carried out the simple task of beating what stands in front of her.
But is there anyone who could seriously test Shields inside the boxing ring? In the opinion of this writer, a name struggles to come to mind.
So, it raises the question, if Shields claims all the belts at heavyweight, will the ‘GWOAT’ have completed boxing?
If not, she has completed 99.9% of it.
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