History of Claressa Shields in Timeline
Claressa Shields is an American professional boxer and former mixed martial artist, achieving world championships across five weight classes. She was the undisputed female light middleweight champion in 2021, a two-time undisputed female middleweight champion (2019-2024), held WBC and IBF female super middleweight titles (2017-2018), the WBO female light heavyweight title, and became the undisputed female heavyweight champion in 2025. Shields holds the record for becoming a two, three, four and five division world champion in the fewest professional fights. As of October 2022, she was ranked the world's best active female middleweight by BoxRec and the best active female boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN and The Ring.
March 17, 1995: Claressa Shields Born
On March 17, 1995, Claressa Maria Shields was born. She is an American professional boxer and former professional mixed martial artist.
2010: Andrecia Wasson
In 2010, Andrecia Wasson was the world champion, who was later defeated by Claressa Shields at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
2011: National Police Athletic League Championships
In 2011, Claressa Shields competed in her first open-division tournament, the National Police Athletic League Championships; she won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter and also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
2011: National PAL Championships Most Outstanding Female Fighter
In 2011, Claressa Shields was recognized as the Most Outstanding Female Fighter at the National PAL Championships.
February 2012: U.S. Olympic Trials Winner
In February 2012, Claressa Shields won the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 165 lb (75 kg) middleweight division, making her the youngest boxer at the event.
April 2012: Women's Elite Continental Championships
In April 2012, Claressa Shields won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario against three-time defending world champion Mary Spencer of Canada; she held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point.
May 2012: High School Junior
In May 2012, Claressa Shields was a high school junior in Flint, Michigan.
October 2012: National PAL Championships Gold
In October 2012, Claressa Shields won gold at middleweight in the open division at her second National PAL Championships, beating Franchón Crews-Dezurn in the finals.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Claressa Shields, aged 17, won the gold medal in the women's middleweight division after beating Nadezda Torlopova. She became the first American woman to win a boxing gold medal.
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: AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships Qualification
In 2012, it was reported that Claressa Shields needed only a top-8 finish at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
2013: IBA Youth World Boxing Championships Gold
In 2013, Claressa Shields defeated Polish boxer Elżbieta Wójcik to win gold in the middleweight class at the IBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.
2013: WBAN Top Amateur (Youth) Elite Boxer of the Year
In 2013, Claressa Shields was named WBAN Top Amateur (Youth) Elite Boxer of the Year.
June 2014: Pan American Olympic Festival Gold
In June 2014, Claressa Shields won gold at middleweight at the Pan American Olympic Festival, beating Yenebier Guillén in the finals.
2014: Attempted adoption
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 WBAN Top Amateur Boxer of the Year.
2015: Pan American Games Honor
In 2015, Claressa Shields became the first American to win titles in women's boxing at the Olympics and Pan American Games. She served as Team USA's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2015 Pan American Games.
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 named USA Boxing Female Athlete of the Year.
2015: Subject of '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 Olympic dreams.
May 2016: World Championships Gold
In May 2016, Claressa Shields defeated Nouchka Fontijn by unanimous decision to win gold at the World Championships.
May 2016: Awarded Outstanding Boxer at World Championships
In May 2016, Claressa Shields was awarded Outstanding Boxer at the World Championships.
August 2016: Awarded Val Barker Trophy
In August 2016, Claressa Shields was awarded the Val Barker Trophy as the most outstanding boxer of the Olympics.
November 2016: Turned professional
In November 2016, Claressa Shields officially went pro. She 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
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 a gold medal in the women's middleweight division at the Olympics.
2016: Universal Pictures acquired rights for her life story
In 2016, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a film about Claressa Shields' life story.
March 10, 2017: North American Boxing Federation Title
On March 10, 2017, Claressa Shields faced Szilvia Szabados for the North American Boxing Federation middleweight title and won by TKO. This was the first time a women's boxing bout was the main event on a United States premium network card on ShoBox.
June 16, 2017: Detroit Brawl Win
On June 16, 2017, Claressa Shields headlined the "Detroit Brawl," facing Sydney LeBlanc and won the bout by decision after all 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.
2017: WBC and IBF Super Middleweight Titles
From 2017 to 2018, Claressa Shields held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) female super middleweight titles.
2017: USA Today Female Fighter of the Year
In 2017, Claressa Shields was named 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: Retained 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. It was Shields' first time going all 10 rounds in her professional career.
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, Claressa Shields defeated Hanna Gabriel by unanimous decision, winning the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight belts, breaking the record for becoming a two-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights.
December 8, 2018: HBO Boxing Appearance
On December 8, 2018, Claressa Shields' fight aired on HBO, her first appearance on the network, a fight which was a part of the last boxing card to occur on HBO. She faced Femke Hermans outboxing her all 10 rounds for a unanimous decision victory.
2018: WBC and IBF Super Middleweight Titles
From 2017 to 2018, Claressa Shields held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) female super middleweight titles.
2018: Acted in a Walmart ad
In 2018, Claressa Shields acted in a Walmart ad directed by Dee Rees.
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: The Ring Female Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year
In 2018, Claressa Shields was named The Ring Female Fighter of the Year and had the Fight of the Year.
2018: Christy Martin Award - Female Fighter of the Year
In 2018, the Boxing Writers Association of America gave Claressa Shields the Christy Martin Award for 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, along with 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 against Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBO junior middleweight title in Flint, Michigan, 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: Female Middleweight Title
In 2019, Claressa Shields held the undisputed female middleweight title.
2019: Sportswoman of the Year
In 2019, Claressa Shields was honored as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.
January 10, 2020: Titles in 3 Divisions
On January 10, 2020, Claressa Shields won by unanimous decision against Ivana Habazin and became the fastest ever to win titles in 3 divisions male or female in history.
November 2020: Signed with Professional Fighters League
In November 2020, Claressa Shields signed a three-year contract with Professional Fighters League, and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training under IBJJF no gi World Champion Roberto Alencar, alongside Holly Holm. She also started training at JacksonWink MMA in late 2020.
2020: BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year Nominee
In 2020, Claressa Shields was nominated for the BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
March 5, 2021: Undisputed Titles in Two Weight Classes
On March 5, 2021, Claressa Shields defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire to retain her WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, claim IBF 154-pound belt, and vacant WBA light middleweight strap. With the win she became the first boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two weight classes, and the first female boxer to be an undisputed champion in two weight classes.
March 2021: Undisputed Light Middleweight Champion
In March 2021, Claressa Shields became the undisputed female light middleweight champion.
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 and won the fight via technical knockout in round three.
July 12, 2021: Shields' bout rescheduled for PFL 8 event
On July 12, 2021, news surfaced that Shields' bout was rescheduled to take place on August 19, 2021, at an ESPN-aired PFL 8 event to garner more exposure.
August 19, 2021: Rescheduled bout date
Claressa Shields' bout was intended to take place on August 19, 2021, at the ESPN-aired PFL 8 event, but it was rescheduled again.
August 27, 2021: Shields' bout scheduled for PFL 9 event
On August 27, 2021, Claressa Shields' second bout was initially scheduled to take place at the PFL 9 event against an opponent who was yet to be named.
October 27, 2021: Shields lost bout against Abigail Montes
On October 27, 2021, Shields faced Abigail Montes at PFL 10, losing the bout via split decision.
2021: Diet Change
In 2021, Claressa Shields followed a pescatarian diet and later appeared on Mythical Kitchen eating meat.
2021: ESPN Mid-Year Awards Best Female Fighter
In 2021, Claressa Shields was named Best Female Fighter in ESPN's Mid-Year Awards.
2021: BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year Nominee
In 2021, Claressa Shields was nominated for the BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
February 5, 2022: Retained Middleweight Titles
On February 5, 2022, Claressa Shields captured a unanimous decision against Ema Kozin and retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles while also winning the WBF female middleweight title.
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 city 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 against Savannah Marshall was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
October 15, 2022: Title Unification Bout
On October 15, 2022, Claressa Shields was initially scheduled to face Savannah Marshall in a title unification bout.
October 2022: Ranked World's Best
As of October 2022, Claressa Shields was 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 for Female Fighter of the Year.
August 2023: Shields re-signed with Professional Fighters League
In August 2023, Claressa Shields 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
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, Shields faced Kelsey DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator. She couldn't make weight, her opponent fought up two weight classes and Shields won via split decision.
July 27, 2024: Won WBC Heavyweight Title
On July 27, 2024, Claressa Shields challenged Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for her WBC heavyweight title at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. Shields won the fight via second-round TKO.
2024: Female Middleweight Title
Between 2019 and 2024, Claressa Shields held the undisputed female middleweight title twice.
2024: Secret Relationship with Papoose Revealed
In 2024, it was revealed that Claressa Shields was in a secret relationship with Brooklyn rapper Papoose, which was confirmed by Papoose's estranged wife Remy Ma.
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, titled 'The Fire Inside', was released, with Ryan Destiny portraying Shields.
February 2, 2025: Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
On February 2, 2025, Claressa Shields faced Danielle Perkins for the undisputed heavyweight championship at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. She won the bout by unanimous decision, becoming the only three-division undisputed champion, male or female, of the four-belt era. Following her win over Perkins, Shields tested positive in competion for marijuana.
February 2025: Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
In February 2025, Claressa Shields held the undisputed female heavyweight title.
May 19, 2025: Shields announced her retirement from MMA
On May 19, 2025, Claressa Shields announced her retirement from MMA.
July 26, 2025: Scheduled Title Defense
Claressa Shields is scheduled to defend her undisputed heavyweight title against Lani Daniels on July 26, 2025 in Detroit, MI.
2025: Public Appearances with Papoose
In 2025, Claressa Shields publicly opened up about her love for Papoose, and the two were spotted together at Hawaii fest.
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