BWAA names Claressa Shields Female Fighter of the Year
This was a major year for women’s boxing and there were so many valid candidates to choose from. This is evident when considering there were a number of great showcases in 2018.
However, there can be only one Fighter of the Year. Therefore, the Boxing Writers Association of America awarded the honors to Claressa Shields!
The 23 year-old native of Flint, Michigan had a huge year. Her four fights included successfully defending her unified status at super middleweight and becoming a unified champion at middleweight.
Shields fought on Showtime, as well as the last televised boxing match on HBO. Having accomplished all this in under ten fights makes it even more remarkable.
The young champion was tested in an action-packed against the undefeated Tori Nelson. She would again overcome adversity against the crafty veteran Hanna Gabriels, recovering from a knock down in the process.
Although the highly anticipated showdown with then-unified champion Christina Hammer didn’t come into fruition, it didn’t slow the champion’s momentum.
The attention that women’s boxing received this year is a testament to the sport itself and Shields, along with many others, played a major role.
She is primed and ready to carry the momentum over into 2019. Look forward to great match-ups that women’s boxing will bring in all divisions!
By: Garrisson Bland
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