Claressa Shields, the trailblazing two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed three-weight champion, has now set her sights on an even bigger goal as she sends a key message to her sponsors after stopping Danielle Perkins.
Known for her dominance in the boxing ring, Shields is one of the most marketable people in women’s sports and is aiming to expand her career even further by securing high-profile deals with major brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour.
“I think I want to keep fighting and let it set in at the very end,” Shields told Fight Hype, visibly emotional. “Because I haven’t gotten all my endorsements and sponsorships yet.
“I’m waiting to get the $20 million Adidas or $30 million Under Armour and Nike. I want to represent all these companies, so I have some work to do. I’m just gonna keep racking up the wins and the belts.”
Shields reveals who she wants as her next opponent
Shields faced Perkins in Flint, Michigan and proved to be the better fighter in a competitive bout that ended with a clear victory for the 29-year-old, as she took the WBO and IBF titles from her rival to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Perkins held her own but was ultimately knocked down by a powerful right hook in the final round, although it likely didn’t make much of a difference to the outcome as the judges scored the fight 97-92, 99-90, and 100-89 against her.
“I want to fight two more times this year,” Shields said post-fight, which could include a rematch with Franchon-Crews Dezurn and a potential clash with Savannah Marshall in the United States, which would send shockwaves through the division.
“Danielle was strong,” Shields added of her rival. “She was definitely a problem, but my experience and my skills got me over it.
“I’ve been in plenty of street fights with bigger people, and I had to use some of my skills in that [against Perkins], too. So, when I dropped her in the last round, it’s because she got greedy.
“I actually think I’m going to have to have surgery on my left arm. I tore my labrum last week, so the fight almost didn’t happen. I didn’t want to let Flint down, but I really couldn’t use my jab the way that I wanted to.”
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