CLARESSA SHIELDS HAS CONQUERED PRO BOXING AND THE OLYMPICS

NEXT ON HER TO-DO LIST: BECOME AN MMA WORLD CHAMPION!

- ROBERT W. YOUNG

If you think the title on the previous page is a bold one, it’s because you don’t know Claressa Shields. In the 16 years she’s boxed, she’s earned championship belts in all four major sanctioning bodies — the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization — as well as two gold medals in the Olympics. She’s been called the best active female boxer by several media outlets, including ESPN. Now she’s turning her attention to the cage. She’s fought in two MMA matches so far — her ongoing boxing career tends to get in the way — and has a record of 1-1. That one loss, however, won’t deter Shields. If anything, it will motivate her.

You have a very impressive boxing background. Could you briefly give us the highlights?

I am a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a multiple-time champion in the amateurs, a professional 13-time world champion, a three-division world champion and a three-time undisputed champion. I’m an undefeated fighter.

What motivated you to get into boxing?

My dad was in prison for a while, and when he got out, I wanted him to live some of his life through me, so I decided to box. He signed me up, and I fell in love with the sport. It was something that I enjoyed doing. I started at Berston Field House, a recreational center in Flint, Michigan.

When you started, was there a desire to compete or to learn self-defense?

I really started just to make my dad happy. I didn’t know that I would be a good boxer or that I was a great boxer. I just knew that I could do great things if I put my mind to it.