Claressa Shields Feels Her Accomplishments Warrant a Claim as The Face Of Boxing
There’s been a running debate in boxing circles about who is the current face of boxing. Three-time undisputed world champion Claressa “The GWOAT” Shields (13-0, 2 KOs) feels that, if she were a male boxer, she would hold that title. The GWOAT went on social media and stated her case.
“Name another boxer who got my accomplishments . . . Two-time gold medalist, Junior Olympics . . . Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 2012 and 2016 . . . Undisputed at 154. Undisputed twice at 160. Three-time undisputed champ. I got thirteen world titles.
Name another man who has done that. If I was a man with those accomplishments, I would be the face of boxing . . . This is facts.”
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
*The debate sprouted when Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-2, 27 KOs) anointed himself as the face of the sport following his seventh-round stoppage win over Ryan Garcia on April 22. In the lead-up to his May 6 victory over John Ryder, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2 39 KOs) stated the mantle belongs to him. But Shields argues that the debate has been happening through a male-centric gaze.
There are those in the boxing community who will push back against her argument. They will claim that the talent pool in women’s boxing is not as deep, especially at 154, 160, and 168, the divisions where Shields has captured world titles. In women’s boxing, the better fighters generally reside in the smaller-weight divisions.
Sanctioning body and boxing politics, as well as economics, have to be considered. Those factors weigh more heavily on the men than it does on the ladies. It’s more difficult to stage a mega-matchup when it comes to the men. It’s more difficult for male boxers to become a unified champion, much less an undisputed champion. If Shields were a man, would she have been able to be a three-time undisputed champion and win thirteen world titles?
Others will argue that Shields cannot control any of that. She’s fought and defeated the best available. To do what she’s done since turning pro in November 2016 is unparalleled and unmatched. If resume matters more than anything else, there’s no doubt who that mythical title belongs to.
Shields feels that her name belongs at the top of the list. It’s a debate that will carry on and will continue to heat up boxing message boards and social media.
