Claressa Shields Becomes First Women's Heavyweight Champ

Claressa Shields just added a heavyweight crown she never expected to earn, and it's secured her place in boxing history alongside Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in women's boxing last year. It wasn't part of her original plan, but the Detroit native has never been one to follow a predictable path.

"Heavyweight was never in my plans," Shields admits. Yet here she stands, holding titles across multiple weight classes and changing what's possible for women in the sport.

Shields already made history a decade ago as the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic gold medals. As a professional, she became undisputed champion at super-welterweight and middleweight twice.

But heavyweight felt different. When you say "American heavyweight champion," names like Ali, Tyson, George Foreman, and Evander Holyfield come to mind.

"To have my name added to that on the women's side, it's still just really big," she says. She's standing where Jack Johnson once stood as the first Black heavyweight champion, now mirrored on the women's side of history.

Her path to heavyweight glory included defeating three previously unbeaten fighters: Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, Danielle Perkins, and Lani Daniels. She also settled her rivalry with Savannah Marshall in an undisputed middleweight title fight that had fans on their feet.

Why This Inspires

Shields sees her heavyweight championship as bigger than personal achievement. She's proving that women's boxing deserves attention at every weight class, from flyweight to heavyweight.

"I feel like it's my job to show that all the weight classes of women's boxing are entertaining," she explains. "We all got skills, we all got hands, we all can fight."

This Sunday in Detroit, she'll defend her title against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, whom she first fought in her professional debut back in 2016. Crews-Dezurn recently beat heavy hitter Shadasia Green and remains a top contender at 168 pounds.

Shields knows the rematch won't be easy. "Franchon is a rough and rugged fighter and she's very experienced," she says, expecting bumps and bruises.

But the champion who never planned to fight at heavyweight now wears the crown proudly, opening doors for every fighter who comes after her.