Claressa Shields, right, lands on Tori Nelson on Friday night (Photo: Stephane Trapp – SHOWTIME)
By Chris Robinson
On Friday night, Jan. 12, IBF/WBC female super middleweight champion Claressa Shields successfully defended her titles with a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated contender Tori Nelson. The bout took place inside of the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and was aired on SHOWTIME’s ShoBox: The New Generation series.
Shields was in command from the outset until the final bell, as three 100-90 scorecards were read in her favor as she improves to 5-0 with 2 knockouts. Shields, a 2012 and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, outland Nelson 225-81 in total punches and landed at a 44% rate.
“I landed every shot that I thought possible to land,” Shields said. “She was tough, she wasn’t a pushover. She put on a good fight.”
Shields now very well could drop down in weight for a possible fight with middleweight champion Christina Hammer, who was ringside Friday in Verona for Shields’ fight.
“I have to drop down and see how I feel,” Shields said. “I think I could make 160 easy, I’m going to be bigger and stronger than any girl.”
Check below for more photos.
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com