Via Vince D’Writer: Undisputed middleweight champion Claressa “GWOAT” Shields entertained her home audience at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan as she successfully defended her title in dominant style with a decisive victory. impressive against leading contender Maricela Cornejo (16-6, 6 KO).
Before the start of the undisputed championship match, the crowd was entertained by famous Detroit natives. Shields was escorted into the ring by Detroit rapper/actress Kash Doll, and the anthem was sung by Motown’s legendary group, The Four Tops.
It has been 7 years since the defending champion Claressa Shields won overtime, and she was determined to end the series on the night of June 3. Shields started the opening half with a big left-hander and ended the round with a series of powerful right-handed shots.
Cornejo found a way to come back in the second half when she performed a combination early in the round. Shield will continue to prevail as she loads ammo in her right hand and fires it early and often. Over the course of the first five innings, it was a one-way skirmish as Shields repeatedly stunned Cornejo with a right-hand loop.
Before the start of the 6th half, Shields was asked to throw with his right hand and Shields continued to serve. Early in the seventh round, she overwhelmed Cornejo with a flurry of shots, and in the final seconds of the seventh round, the defending champion landed a straight right-handed landing that sent her opponent back.
The final three innings of the match included the Shield continuing to connect with his right hand, and Cornejo sporting a large heart and granite chin. Shields didn’t make a knockout, but she did take the win by unanimous decision by scores of 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90.
28-year-old Claressa “GWOAT” Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) had her usual night of competition as she claimed her undisputed middleweight crown with relative ease. She’s shooting for the knockout, but she seems content with her dominant unifying decisive performance.
“I feel great. I’m landing my shots. I won every round like I knew I could. I’ve hit to knockout, I don’t know how many times. Maricela is just tough and has a good right hand, and is also very smart and tough when I start hitting her, and knows how to survive. She did a wonderful job.”
Claressa Shields consistently proves that she stands out from the rest as she regularly dominates the competition. Shields will be keeping a close eye on the undisputed super-middleweight showdown on July 1 between defending champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Savannah Marshall.
In his post-battle interview, Shields addressed the Crews-Dezurn clash with Marshall by saying, “I’ll look into the battle. I think I’ll go to the UK, show my face a little bit”.
Claressa Shields made her professional boxing debut by defeating Franchon Crews-Dezurn in November 2016 and she beat Savannah Marshall in October 2022. A match against the July 1 winner would be very exciting for the winner. with Shields for the fact that a win would make her simultaneously undisputed champion in two divisions.
