Five-division champion Claressa Shields is looking to become an undisputed heavyweight champion in her fight against Danielle Perkins of Brooklyn, New York. The pair came face-to-face on Saturday for their final weigh-ins before the big night. In the meantime, Shields seems to have acknowledged a blunder that could cost her the fight.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
You see, the undefeated pound-for-pound queen from Michigan weighed 173.6 pounds while her upcoming opponent weighed in at career-lightest 177.2 pounds. This fight will mark a second boxing match for Shields over the super middleweight limit. ‘The GWOAT’ came in 174.8 pounds for her fight in July against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.
Regardless, when Boxing Kingdom shared a clip from her face-off recently, Shields responded to the post acknowledging her mistake. Boxing Kingdom wrote, “Claressa Shields is in WAR mode at the final face-off. The GWOAT defends her Heavyweight title tomorrow.” To this, Shields acknowledged Perkins’ weight advantage over her, noting, “Even though she came in over the 175 women’s heavyweight weight class, I’ll still kick her a** become Undisputed!!!!”
Top Stories
Even though she came in over the 175 womens heavyweight weight class, I’ll still kick her ass become Undisputed!!!! https://t.co/YcbLaILemO
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 1, 2025
Despite Perkins’ weight advantage, it may not be a decisive factor given the vast gap in experience and skill. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-division undisputed champion with titles across five weight classes stands in stark contrast to Perkins, who is entering her first-ever title fight.
Barring any surprises, Shields should have little trouble defending her WBC heavyweight title while aiming to claim the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts against Perkins at the Dort Financial Center in Flint. Meanwhile, Shields seems to have pulled the plug on a potential super fight fans wanted to see.
Claressa Shields claims she is not interested in fighting Alycia Baumgardner
Claressa Shields has shut down any possibility of a fight with Alycia Baumgardner, dismissing the idea as irrelevant to her career. Despite their heated exchange on DAZN’s April 20 broadcast, Shields insists she has no interest in the matchup. “We have not been going back and forth,” Shields told The Ring.
Imago
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 04: Alycia Baumgardner stands in the corner after knocking down Elhem Mekhalednot pictured, during their fight for Baumgardner s WBC, WBO and IBF junior lightweight titles and the vacant WBA junior lightweight title at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire BOXING: FEB 04 Baumgardner vs Mekhaled Icon23020413211
“She’s a non-factor in my life. She’s not even someone who I would consider to fight. I fight 154, 160, or 168. She’s never fought at 140 or 147.” Baumgardner, however, claims Shields had previously agreed to meet at 147 pounds. “There is proof that she said this,” Baumgardner said. “Claressa is at a stage of her life where she wants things to be easier for her. That’s why she moved up to heavyweight.”
With Shields continuing to campaign at higher weights, it seems unlikely this all-Michigan clash will come to fruition anytime soon.
That said, Claressa Shields seems nonchalant about Perkins’ weight advantage over her. Whether this becomes a factor during their fight is yet to be seen. Do you think Perkins’ weight gives her an edge over Shields?
Written by
Edited by
Gokul Pillai