History of Claressa Shields in Timeline
Claressa Shields is a highly accomplished American professional boxer and mixed martial artist. She is a multi-division world champion, having held titles in five weight classes, including undisputed titles at light middleweight and middleweight. She holds the record for becoming a two, three, four, and five-division world champion in the fewest professional fights. As of late 2022, she was ranked as the world's best active female middleweight by BoxRec and the best active female boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN and The Ring. She also won the undisputed female heavyweight title since February 2025.
March 17, 1995: Claressa Shields Born
On March 17, 1995, Claressa Maria Shields was born. She is an American professional boxer and professional mixed martial artist.
2010: Andrecia Wasson World Champion
In 2010, Andrecia Wasson was the world champion, Claressa Shields defeated her at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
2011: National PAL Championships Most Outstanding Female Fighter
In 2011, Claressa Shields was awarded the Most Outstanding Female Fighter at the National PAL Championships.
2011: National Police Athletic League Championships
In 2011, Claressa Shields won the middleweight title at the National Police Athletic League Championships, was named top overall fighter, and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
February 2012: U.S. Olympic Trials Winner
In February 2012, Claressa Shields won the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 165 lb middleweight division, becoming the youngest boxer at the event.
April 2012: Women's Elite Continental Championships Winner
In April 2012, Claressa Shields won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario, defeating Mary Spencer of Canada.
May 2012: High School Junior
In May 2012, Claressa Shields was a high school junior in Flint, Michigan.
October 2012: National PAL Championships
In October 2012, Claressa Shields won gold at middleweight in the open division at her second National PAL Championships, defeating Franchón Crews-Dezurn in the finals.
2012: U.S. Olympic Trials Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament
In 2012, Claressa Shields was recognized as the Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal Winner
In 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, Claressa Shields, aged 17, won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division, becoming the first American woman to win a boxing gold medal.
2012: Olympic Qualification
In 2012, it was reported that Claressa Shields needed only a top-8 finish at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships to qualify for the Olympics.
2013: IBA Youth World Boxing Championships Gold
In 2013, Claressa Shields won gold in the middleweight class at the IBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria, defeating Elżbieta Wójcik.
June 2014: Pan American Olympic Festival Gold
In June 2014, Claressa Shields won gold at middleweight in the Pan American Olympic Festival finals against Yenebier Guillén.
2014: Attempted adoption of her cousin's daughter
In 2014, Claressa Shields attempted to adopt her cousin's daughter.
2014: WBAN Top Amateur Boxer of the Year
In 2014, Claressa Shields was named the WBAN Top Amateur Boxer of the Year.
2015: Titles at Olympics and Pan American Games
In 2015, Claressa Shields became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American Games and served as Team USA's flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
2015: U.S. National Championships Gold
In 2015, Claressa Shields defended her gold at the U.S. National Championships by defeating Raquel Miller in the finals.
2015: USA Boxing Female Athlete of the Year
In 2015, Claressa Shields was awarded the USA Boxing Female Athlete of the Year.
2015: Subject of documentary T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold
In 2015, Claressa Shields was the subject of the documentary T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold, which followed her journey to become the first woman to win a gold medal in Olympic boxing.
May 2016: Outstanding Boxer at the World Championships
In May 2016, Claressa Shields was awarded Outstanding Boxer at the World Championships.
May 2016: World Championships Gold
In May 2016, Claressa Shields won gold at the World Championships defeating Nouchka Fontijn by unanimous decision.
August 2016: Val Barker Trophy at the Olympics
In August 2016, Claressa Shields was awarded the Val Barker Trophy, given to the most outstanding boxer of the Olympics.
November 2016: Professional Debut
In November 2016, Claressa Shields officially turned professional and won her first match against Franchón Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision.
December 2016: Cover of The Ring magazine
In December 2016, Claressa Shields became the third woman and second female boxer to grace the cover of The Ring magazine.
2016: Sportswoman of the Year by Women's Sports Foundation
In 2016, Claressa Shields was honored as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.
2016: Slated to act in Punch Me
In 2016, Claressa Shields was slated to act in the Susan Seidelman-directed film Punch Me.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Claressa Shields won her second gold medal at the Olympics in the women's middleweight division.
2016: Universal Pictures acquired rights for life story film
In 2016, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a film about Claressa Shields' life story.
March 10, 2017: NABA Middleweight Title Win
On March 10, 2017, Claressa Shields won the North American Boxing Federation middleweight title by TKO against Szilvia Szabados, headlining on ShoBox.
June 16, 2017: "Detroit Brawl" Headliner
On June 16, 2017, Claressa Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl" and won her bout against Sydney LeBlanc by decision after eight rounds.
August 4, 2017: WBC and IBF Super-Middleweight Belts
On August 4, 2017, Claressa Shields defeated Nikki Adler at MGM Grand Detroit for the WBC super-middleweight belt and the vacant IBF super-middleweight belt by 5th round TKO.
2017: WBC and IBF Super Middleweight Titles
From 2017 to 2018, Claressa Shields held the WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles.
2017: USA Today Female Fighter of the Year
In 2017, Claressa Shields was named the USA Today Female Fighter of the Year.
2017: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award
In 2017, Claressa Shields won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Award for "Biggest Powerhouse."
January 12, 2018: WBC, IBF, and WBAN Super Middleweight Titles
On January 12, 2018, Claressa Shields retained her WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles and won the WBAN super-middleweight title by defeating Tori Nelson after 10 rounds.
January 2018: Boxing Gloves Enshrined in International Boxing Hall of Fame
In January 2018, Claressa Shields' boxing gloves were enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
June 22, 2018: Two-Weight World Champion
On June 22, 2018, in her sixth fight, Claressa Shields defeated Hanna Gabriel by unanimous decision, winning the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight belts, becoming a two-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights. She also experienced her first knock down.
December 8, 2018: HBO Debut
On December 8, 2018, Claressa Shields fought Femke Hermans on HBO, her first appearance on the network, as part of the last boxing card to occur on HBO, winning by unanimous decision.
2018: WBC and IBF Super Middleweight Titles
From 2017 to 2018, Claressa Shields held the WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles.
2018: Acted in Walmart Ad
In 2018, Claressa Shields acted in a Walmart ad directed by Dee Rees.
2018: The Ring Female Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year
In 2018, Claressa Shields received The Ring Female Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year awards.
2018: Inducted into USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame
In 2018, Claressa Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.
2018: Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year
In 2018, the Boxing Writers Association of America gave Claressa Shields the Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year.
2018: Female Fighter of the Year
In 2018, the Boxing Writers Association of America named Claressa Shields the Female Fighter of the Year.
April 13, 2019: Undisputed Middleweight Champion
On April 13, 2019, Claressa Shields became the undisputed women's middleweight world champion, unifying the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO middleweight titles and The Ring magazine's inaugural middleweight belt after defeating Christina Hammer by unanimous decision.
October 5, 2019: Fight Postponed
On October 5, 2019, Claressa Shields' scheduled fight with Ivana Habazin was postponed due to Habazin's trainer being attacked at the weigh in.
December 2019: Sporting News' Female Boxer of the Decade
In December 2019, Claressa Shields was named Sporting News' Female Boxer of the Decade.
2019: Undisputed Female Middleweight Title
In 2019, Claressa Shields first held the undisputed female middleweight title.
2019: Sportswoman of the Year by Women's Sports Foundation
In 2019, Claressa Shields was honored as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.
January 10, 2020: Junior Middleweight Title
On January 10, 2020, Claressa Shields defeated Ivana Habazin by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO junior middleweight title, becoming the fastest ever to win titles in 3 divisions.
November 2020: Signed with Professional Fighters League
In November 2020, Claressa Shields signed a three-year contract with Professional Fighters League (PFL) to compete in mixed martial arts.
March 5, 2021: Undisputed Champion in Two Weight Classes
On March 5, 2021, Claressa Shields defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire by unanimous decision to retain her super welterweight titles and claim the IBF 154-pound belt and vacant WBA light middleweight strap, becoming the first boxer to hold undisputed titles in two weight classes.
March 2021: Undisputed Light Middleweight Champion
In March 2021, Claressa Shields held the undisputed female light middleweight title.
March 2021: WBA Female Boxer of the Month
In March 2021, Claressa Shields was named WBA Female Boxer of the Month.
June 10, 2021: MMA Debut Win
On June 10, 2021, Claressa Shields made her MMA debut at PFL 4 against Brittney Elkin, winning the fight via technical knockout in round three.
July 12, 2021: Second Bout Rescheduled
On July 12, 2021, news surfaced that Claressa Shields' bout was rescheduled to take place on August 19, 2021, at an ESPN-aired PFL 8 event.
August 19, 2021: Second Bout Rescheduled Again
On August 19, 2021, Claressa Shields' MMA bout was scheduled to take place at an ESPN-aired PFL 8 event.
August 27, 2021: Second Bout Scheduled
On August 27, 2021, Claressa Shield's second MMA bout was initially scheduled to take place at the PFL 9 event.
October 27, 2021: MMA Bout Loss
On October 27, 2021, Claressa Shields lost her MMA bout against Abigail Montes via split decision at PFL 10.
2021: MMA Debut
In 2021, Claressa Shields was expected to make her mixed martial arts debut with the Professional Fighters League.
2021: ESPN Mid Year Awards Best Female Fighter
In 2021, Claressa Shields won the ESPN Mid Year Awards Best Female Fighter.
2021: Diet and Mythical Kitchen appearance
In 2021, Claressa Shields, who had been following a pescatarian diet, appeared on an interview with Mythical Kitchen and ate meat.
February 5, 2022: Retained Middleweight Titles
On February 5, 2022, Claressa Shields retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles and won the WBF female middleweight title by unanimous decision against Ema Kozin.
February 2022: WBA Fighter of the Month
In February 2022, Claressa Shields was named WBA Fighter of the Month.
June 19, 2022: Street Renamed in Flint, Michigan
On June 19, 2022, Claressa Shields' hometown of Flint, Michigan, renamed a street in her honor.
September 10, 2022: Title Unification Bout Postponed
On September 10, 2022, Claressa Shields' title unification bout with Savannah Marshall was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
October 15, 2022: Title Unification Bout Rescheduled
On October 15, 2022, Claressa Shields' title unification bout with Savannah Marshall was rescheduled after being postponed.
October 2022: Ranked Best Female Boxer
As of October 2022, Claressa Shields is ranked the world's best active female middleweight by BoxRec, and the best active female boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN and The Ring.
2022: ESPN Women's Fighter of the Year
In 2022, Claressa Shields was named ESPN Women's Fighter of the Year.
2022: Sporting News Women's Boxer of the Year
In 2022, Claressa Shields was named Sporting News Women's Boxer of the Year.
2022: Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year
In 2022, the Boxing Writers Association of America gave Claressa Shields the Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year.
August 2023: Re-signed with PFL
In August 2023, it was announced that Claressa Shields had re-signed a multi-year contract with Professional Fighters League to continue competing in mixed martial arts.
2023: Best Boxer ESPY Award
In 2023, Claressa Shields became the first woman to win the Best Boxer ESPY Award.
2023: Sportswoman of the Year by Women's Sports Foundation
In 2023, Claressa Shields was honored as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.
February 24, 2024: Shields vs. DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator
On February 24, 2024, Claressa Shields faced Kelsey DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator, winning by split decision after struggling to make weight and forcing her opponent to fight up two weight classes.
July 27, 2024: WBC Heavyweight Title Win
On July 27, 2024, Claressa Shields won the vacant WBF heavyweight and WBO light heavyweight titles against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse via second-round TKO at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI.
2024: Held Undisputed Middleweight Title
In 2024, Claressa Shields held the undisputed female middleweight title for the second time.
2024: WBC Performance of the Year
In 2024, the WBC awarded Claressa Shields the Performance of the Year for her victory against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.
2024: Release of "The Fire Inside"
In 2024, the film about Claressa Shields' life story, titled "The Fire Inside," was released, with Ryan Destiny portraying Shields.
February 2, 2025: Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
On February 2, 2025, Claressa Shields defeated Danielle Perkins by unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, becoming the only three-division undisputed champion of the four-belt era. Following her win over Perkins, Shields tested positive in competion for marijuana.
February 2025: Undisputed Female Heavyweight Title
Since February 2025, Claressa Shields has held the undisputed female heavyweight title and the WBO female light heavyweight title.
