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.
Denne historien er fra Black Belt Spring 2023-utgaven av Black Belt.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Black Belt Spring 2023-utgaven av Black Belt.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
HOW TO CREATE A MARTIAL ART CASE STUDY: COMBAT HAPKIDO
On October 22, 2022, the International Combat Hapkido Federation celebrated its 30th anniversary. As you might expect, we're proud of our organization's longevity, stability and success.
MARTIAL ARTS ANATOMY 101
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE LIVER SHO
LOCK UP
THE CLINCHING LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE ANCIENT GREEK MARTIAL ART OF PANKRATION ARE STILL RELEVANT - AND EFFECTIVE!
KILLER CHARACTER ACTOR
When Scott Adkins Isn't Headlining His Own Action Movies Like \"Boyka: Undisputed,\" He's Stealing Scenes in Blockbusters Like \"John Wick\" and \"Ip Man\"!
A DEEP DIVE WITH BENNY URQUIDEZ
Few fighters have a reputation as formidable and a record as impressive as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. As you will see, his path from the traditional martial arts to full contact and then to kickboxing had more than its share of bumps.
PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, PART 1
In my six previous columns, pre-emptive striking featured prominently.
THE DAY JUJITSU DIED
Let us look at one historical instance that illuminates a lesson in task saturation, or what Miyamoto Musashi called \"sword flowers.\"
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GUY MEZGER: FROM MMA FIGHTER TO HEALER
To be successful in mixed martial arts nowadays, you need an all-around game.
KILLER INSTINCT
It's not the size of the woman in the fight but the size of the fight in the woman.
HAPKIDO'S BONG SOO HAN: THE MAKING OF A MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND
Much has been written about Bong Soo Han (1933-2007), his career as a hapkido master and his connection to the Billy Jack films.
