DETROIT, MI – Claressa Shields‘ pro career is just three-fights-old.
But that didn’t stop the 22-year-old Flint boxer from making a bold statement during Thursday’s official weigh-in.
“GWOAT Shields” was stamped on the back of the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s jumpsuit, in gold letters, when she strolled into Club Ignite at MGM Grand Detroit.
It’s an acronym for Greatest Woman of All Time.
“Being a world champ in four fights? No other woman has done it,” Shields said. “I would understand if there were others that have done what I’ve done, but not only am I a two-time Olympic champion, I’m about to be a world champion in four fights.”
On Friday, she is looking to continue her journey to prove she’s the best when she enters the ring against current WBC super middleweight champion Nikki Adler at 10:30 p.m. live on Showtime.
The vacant IBF title will also be at stake in what’s billed as the “Battle of the Best.”
Adler tipped the scale at 166 pounds while Shields weighed 165.2 pounds.
As Shields stared in the eyes of Adler on stage, the German champion didn’t appear to be fazed by the stare down, unlike Shields’ previous opponent, Sydney LeBlanc, who she dominated unanimously on June 16.
Adler is making her American debut tomorrow as she puts her perfect 16-0 record on the line at 30-years-old.
“I feel good overall,” Shields said. “I feel strong, I feel hydrated and I’m ready to go for tomorrow. I’m just really looking forward to hearing, ‘and the new…’ tomorrow so I feel good.”
Shields and Adler weren’t the only champions in the room. Five-time boxing champion Christina Hammer and UFC featherweight titleholder Cris Cyborg were also in attendance.
Prior to the weigh-in, the ladies hosted a media roundtable discussion. Cyborg and Shields have developed a close bond through sparring sessions while Hammer (21-0, 9 KOs) could potentially be facing Shields at middleweight as early as next year.
Both are predicting a victory for the Flintstone.
“I think Claressa wins the fight easy because Nikki is not so flexible, she’s very slow and I think Claressa can beat her with fast hands,” Hammer said.
“I think she will be faster than her and Claressa can finish the fight when she wants to finish the fight,” Cyborg echoed. “I don’t know what round but it’s going to be a great fight.”
Claressa Shields dedicates title bout to slain friend: ‘I want us to stop the violence’
Kanasha Thomas, a 21-year-old friend of Shields’ was shot and killed June 4 in Flint.
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