Congratulations to the GWOAT as Shields nails the Hammer
In what was women boxing’s first, legit, world recognised super fight. Between the WBA,WBC and IBF middleweight champion Claressa Shields. And the WBO title holder Christina Hammer. In Atlantic City, New Jersey. Shields boxed her way to a one-sided, dominant, unanimous points victory, to become only the sixth boxer and second female in history to hold four belts and unify their division.
I was extremely impressed by Shields, the two-time Olympic gold medalist. Who, although I feel had the potentially be the best woman’s boxer on the planet. I also thought at present she was very inexperienced, at times unnecessarily reckless and a bit too emotionally invested in this fight, against the much more experienced Hammer.
However, Shields proved that Hammer had been a protected and looked after fighter. Hammer’s been a world champion since 2010, where at 20 years of age, became the youngest boxer to ever win a WBO title. Shields expressed that Hammer had not fought any real top class or tough opponents in her career and this is why she stayed undefeated for so long.
There was plenty of needle in the fight and the build up was filled with tension and trash talk back and forth. Including a mini brawl when Hammer stepped into the ring after Shield’s last fight and the two went nose to nose and almost blow for blow. This had all the genuine boxing fans rubbing their hands with glee, in anticipation of this upcoming fight. That was previously postponed, as they were due to fight in November, but Hammer became ill.
That just made it more exciting for this bout, where most thought it was a 50/50 and couldn’t choose between the two. Hammer started the first round on the front foot. With a clear height and reach advantage. She tried to use this, to back Shields up and did. However, we later found out this was more due to Shields having a look at Hammer.
For me, this was Hammer’s best round as it want down hill from there. In the second and third rounds, Shields came out more aggressive, looking for the over hand right. I was also very impressed with her lateral movement and footwork on the defence.
This pattern continued through the 5th to 7th rounds. Shields began to grow in statue as the fight went on. At times, she dropped her hands and used her movement to stay out the way of Hammer’s jab or straight right hand. Hammer started to look like a one trick pony, as Shields telegraphed any and everything she had.
A confident Shields impressed with her array of versatile shots. Going to the body, then switching to the head. She began to box superbly and throw some aggressive, hurtful shots to the head that clearly effected Hammer, who began to hold frequently, in an attempt to spoil or just get a break from being lit up.
The eighth round was the pivotal one in the fight. Hammer came out initially looking good. But that confidence was soon shut down by Shields who connected with yet another overhand right to back Hammer up, who was now breathing very heavy, on ropes.
In the flurry of shots, Shields knocked Hammer’s gum shield out. as she piled on the pressure, trying to take Hammer out. After a short lull, where the gum shield was put back in. Shields again went on the offensive, with a series of power shots, right up to the bell. Hammer was relieved when the bell sounded, as she walked gingerly back to her corner.
The ninth and tenth rounds remained with Shields being on top. Hammer just couldn’t handle Shields’ impressive boxing ability, strength and aggression. This led to Hammer holding more, trying to spoil. But Shields was having none of it, as she put on a show, switch hitting, and sitting on her shots. By this time, the outcome was inevitable and it was a near shut out, which in the end, was disappointing as a contest, but impressive as a performance, especially in such a monumental and historic occasion.
As the scores were read out. Two judges scored it 98-91 and one scored 98-92. Shields screamed in adulation as the four belts was draped over her. Making history as the sixth boxer in history and second woman to hold all four belts and unify a division.
Although at times the fight was messy, with Hammer attempting to hold and spoil and Shields aggressive nature, causing her to come in with her head. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was really impressed by Shields’ performance in what was supposed to be huge step up for her. I saw her as an aggressive, strong, but flat-footed fighter, who has all the potential in the world but although she had only lost 1 of her 78 amateur fights. Still had a way to go, after just 8 pro fights.
However, this fight showed, even though Shields still has adjustments to make, and the scary prospect is, she will improve and get better. She is currently at the top of her game. Shields not only outmuscled and out fought Hammer. She out boxed and outclassed her. No disrespect, but it looked as though Shields was in a different league. Which again is a scary thought considering this was only her ninth pro fight.
It was not only visually one-sided. The stats also showed this. Shields connected with 29% of her shots to Hammer’s 13%. She connected with 44% of power shots to Hammer’s 18% only the jab stat was close, where Shields had 10% to Hammer’s 11%. Shields also landed 31 body shots to Hammer’s mere 3. It was a totally dominant display.
After the fight, Shields wasted no time calling out other opponents. She challenged the unified welterweight champion and first female boxer to unify a division. Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus to a super fight. Then stated if that was not possible, she would like to fight the only woman to beat her in the amateurs, England’s Savannah Marshall.
Whatever happens next and whoever is next, we are witnessing greatness from this queen. She is young, hungry, beautiful, strong, powerful, skilled and still improving. She literally has the world at her feet. Some may not like it, but until it’s proved otherwise, you may have to get used to the fact that Claressa Shields could just be the greatest woman boxer of all time!
