Photo: SkySports.com
Claressa Shields (16-0, 3 KOs moved up to heavyweight and added four more belts to her collection as she outpointed Danielle Perkins (5-1, 2 KOs) over 10 rounds on Sunday night in Flint, MI. Shields, “The GWOAT” as she is known, has ruled over super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight in her spectacular career and now owns all of the titles in the 175 + division.
Shields scored one knockdown, in the waning seconds of the 10th and final round. Official scores were 99-90, 90-72 and 10o-89. InTheCorner.net scored it 97-92.
Perkins was much bigger than Shields and fought a disciplined fight, not at all intimidated by the two-time Olympic champion. Coming forward from a southphaw stance, Perkins took heavy shots and returned fire throughout the 10-round fight. Shields started the match waiting to counter punch and when she did, the elite hand speed was on display. Perkins was able to land on Shields, most consistently with the lead right hand, but never rocked her at any time.
When Shields would fire off combinations, the blinding speed allowed her to get in numerous shots to outdo Perkins’ offense. A solid right hand in the third round wobbled Perkins, who made it to the bell on shaky legs. The bomb that sent Perkins to the canvas in the 10th round was a perfect right hand and likely would have ended the fight if the bell didn’t ring immediately after the count.
Claressa Shields has shown elite power and speed throughout her 16-fight career. The shallow field of female fighters at the higher weight classes has prevented her from having a super fight, but she has a perfect record across four weight classes. She holds victories over fighters who now have titles in other weight classes.
Danielle Perkins, age 42, had a tremendous size advantage over the 29-year old Shields and didn’t fight scared, bringing big shots from a southpaw stance. Perkins stayed the course, even after getting rocked early in the fight. This was a stern test for Claressa Shields and she passed it convincingly.
UNDERCARD
BRANDON MOORE DQ8 over SKYLAR LACY
JOSHUA JAMES PAGAN UD10 over RONAL RON RAMIREZ
JOSEPH HICKS TKO7 over KEON PAPILLION
CAROLINE VEYRE UD8 over CARMEN VARGAS
ASHLEYANN LOZADA UD6 over DENISE MORAN
