FLINT, Mich. — Claressa Shields achieved an impressive victory over Danielle Perkins on Sunday night, delivering a unanimous decision in what marked the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in women’s boxing. Shields, who boasts two Olympic gold medals and championships in five different weight classes, maintained dominance throughout the match. She delivered a powerful right hand that sent Perkins to the canvas with just 15 seconds remaining in the final round.
With this win, the 29-year-old Shields enhanced her professional record to 16 wins, with three coming by knockout. After the fight, she expressed her desire for a rematch with Hanna Gabriels, indicating her readiness for further challenges in her boxing career.
On the other hand, the 42-year-old Perkins, who had made a name for herself leading St. John’s basketball team in blocked shots years ago, had begun her professional boxing journey with five consecutive wins before facing Shields. Perkins weighed in at over 177 pounds and stood at 6 feet tall, which gave her a slight advantage in height and weight over Shields.
Throughout the bout, Perkins absorbed many of Shields’ powerful punches, only hitting the mat in the third round when the referee intervened while separating the fighters. As the fight progressed, both boxers showed signs of fatigue, but Shields closed the seventh round with a strong series of strikes.
Shields made history with gold medals at 165 pounds during the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, becoming the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic titles. She is quickly becoming a mainstay in the heavyweight division and previously showcased her prowess by knocking out WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse last summer before an audience of about 12,000 at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, home of the Red Wings. This latest fight took place in a more intimate venue in Flint, accommodating around 6,000 spectators, many of whom were seated in folding chairs.
The champion noted that she had opportunities to host the fight in larger arenas, including potential locations like Barclays Center in New York or venues in Las Vegas. However, Shields emphasized the importance of bringing this milestone moment back to her hometown, Flint, a city depicted in the film “The Fire Inside,” which is based on her life story.
In the co-main event, Brandon Moore (17-1) claimed the vacant USBA heavyweight championship after Skylar Lacy (8-1) was disqualified in the eighth round for unsportsmanlike behavior, which included using his shoulder to push Moore out of the ring and onto a commentary table.
A strong advocate for women’s boxing, Shields was also pleased to support the inclusion of female fighters in four out of the ten bouts presented in Flint. Among them, Ashleyann Lozada Motta made her professional debut, achieving a unanimous decision victory in a spirited four-round contest against Denise Moran (3-1). Shields continues to pave the way for women in the sport, emphasizing the need for broader representation and opportunity in boxing.
