Claressa Shields reclaimed middleweight championship titles early Sunday morning at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, overwhelming Australian challenger Kaye Scott to secure a sixth-round technical knockout. The dominant performance marks Shields’s return to the 160-pound division, where she previously held undisputed champion status before moving up through light-heavyweight and into the heavyweight ranks.
Shields controlled the contest from its opening moments, systematically breaking down her 42-year-old opponent with superior hand speed and a relentless body attack. After building a commanding lead on the scorecards, Shields intensified her assault in the fifth and sixth rounds, ultimately forcing Scott’s corner to surrender when the Australian could no longer withstand the punishment. The victory improved Shields’s professional record to 19-0 with four knockouts, while Scott fell to 5-2-1.
The achievement appears particularly notable given the significant weight cut required for the bout. Shields revealed she lost 38 pounds over 14 weeks to reach middleweight, dropping from 198 pounds to 160 pounds. Despite her concerns that such a dramatic reduction might affect her stamina and power, the champion ultimately dominated without difficulty.
Shields expressed interest in facing British Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price as her next opponent at middleweight, with fights potentially scheduled for December or January. She also mentioned interest in challenging Canada’s Tammara Thibeault for undisputed status or facing fellow elite competitor Mikaela Mayer at the division.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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