In 2022, Claressa Shields took over the world of boxing. She headlined the O2 Area and have become the undisputed middleweight champion for the second time, defeating rival Savannah Marshall on a ladies’s card. As she does, “GWOAT” backed up her trash discuss with out breaking a sweat.
If all goes in keeping with plan, Shields ought to proceed that momentum into 2023.
Shields defeated Marshall by unanimous choice to win the WBO middleweight title. The 2022 Sporting Information Ladies’s Boxer of the Yr avenged an novice loss, the one lack of her profession. He might face Marshall in a rematch this yr. Newcastle’s St James’ Park is the rumored vacation spot.
Nonetheless, in keeping with Shields’ promoter, it won’t occur immediately. “Rematch [with Marshall] it is one thing that should marinate a bit of bit,” Shields’ promoter Dmitriy Salita instructed The Sporting Information completely.
“Each fighters, particularly Savannah, ought to combat between rematches. Let it develop. Realistically, in the direction of the top of the yr or early subsequent yr is the correct time for the rematch.
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“The rematch could be an enormous occasion once more, probably in the USA, probably within the Center East or Africa. As I stated earlier than, Claressa Shields is that this technology’s Muhammad Ali. Not solely is she an ideal athlete, however she is, of additionally conscious of who she is. She makes use of sports activities as a bridge and to be an inspiration.
“For Claressa to combat in Africa, as somebody who grew up in Flint, Michigan, one of the difficult locations in the USA, who had challenges day-after-day, could be to change into one of many best athletes of all time . so impressed. The identical goes for the Center East.”
2022 was an enormous yr for ladies’s boxing. Fights like Shields vs. Marshall, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner vs. Mikaela Mayer had been a few of the highlights. Somebody who had an ideal yr was Natasha Jonas.
After failing to seize gold at super-featherweight and light-weight at one level, Jonas received three titles in 2022. She defeated Chris Namus in February for the WBO super-welterweight title, Patricia Berghult in September for the WBC title and Marie-Eve Dicaire in November for the IBF title. In a earlier interview with The Sporting Information, Salita introduced up Jonas’ identify to tackle Shields.
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Salita doubled over on the thought of a Shields-Jonas conflict. He would really like that combat, if it ends, to happen in late March or mid-April.
“We need to combat Natasha Jonas,” Salita stated. “It is the very best, greatest combat for Claressa and ladies’s boxing. That is on our agenda to observe.
“[Jonas is] skilled by Joe Gallagher, a superb coach. Top-of-the-line on the planet. She confirmed a marked enchancment from her final two fights. Even when Claressa is the favourite, Jonas is succesful, expert and crafty.
“We must always discuss [the weight class the fight would be in]. Jonas is the unified junior middleweight champion, with Terri Harper holding one of many different belts. Possibly we might do a combat with the load caught or [Jonas] would transfer as much as middleweight so Shields might defend his undisputed titles. I am hopeful that we’ll get to that dialogue and fear about it someday within the close to future.”
Gallagher additionally introduced up the thought of a combat. He instructed Sky Sports activities he hoped he may very well be booked quickly. An early combat would not mess with Shields’ contract and MMA schedule with the Skilled Fighters League.