Less than a decade after her skilled boxing debut, Claressa Shields was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Dec. 19. According to Black Enterprise, the induction ceremony, held at Detroit’s MotorCity Casino Hotel, honored the Flint, Michigan, native’s outstanding profession, which incorporates two Olympic gold medals earned earlier than she turned skilled in November 2016.
Here’s extra on Shield’s induction and her extraordinary profession.
Shields mentioned being inducted earlier than her skilled profession is ‘unimaginable’
Shields — who has chosen to combat in Detroit all through her profession fairly than relocating for matches — marveled on the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame’s recognition of her accomplishments earlier than she reached skilled success.
“To be named a Hall of Famer earlier than I even totally stepped into my skilled journey is unimaginable,” she advised Black Enterprise. “It’s an honor I actually respect.”
It mirrors the “wonderful” help she’s acquired within the Midwestern state, she mentioned.
“I hold promoting out arenas due to the love,” she continued.
Shields opened up concerning the achievement on social media, sharing a carousel post on Instagram that included footage from the induction ceremony.
“This second isn’t nearly me — it’s about each child who believed of their goals, each coach and mentor who poured into the poor black woman with only a dream and each group that raised me,” she wrote within the put up’s caption. “Thank you to Michigan and to all who’ve supported my journey.”
Shields will face Franchón Crews-Dezurn for a extremely anticipated rematch in February
According to the BBC, Shields presently holds a 17-0 report, maintains WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC titles, and has gained undisputed titles in three weight lessons. After turning down curiosity from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, she signed an $8 million multi-fight contract with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions in November.
“This deal represents greater than only a contract, it’s a press release. I’ve fought my total profession to show that girls’s boxing deserves equal respect, equal pay and equal alternative,” Shields mentioned on the time, per the BBC.
She added, “Partnering with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records provides me the platform to maintain breaking limitations inside and out of doors the ring. Together, we’re constructing one thing that’s by no means been finished earlier than.”
Shields faces certainly one of her largest matches but in February: a rematch towards Franchón Crews-Dezurn. The two fought in 2016, marking each of their skilled debuts, and Shields finally beat Crews-Dezurn by unanimous determination, the BBC reported.
Shields advised Black Enterprise she’s anticipating a aggressive match.
“This combat goes to be intense,” she mentioned. “All the belts are on the road. It’s going to be a fireplace combat.”