FLINT, Michigan — On the cold night of Sunday, Feb. 2, Flint native Claressa Shields made boxing history in her hometown at Dort Financial Center in front of a nearly sold-out crowd. In a dream sequence, Shields (16-0, 3 OKs) landed a right hook to opponent Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 OKs) which made her slump over in the final 20 seconds of the 10th and final round.
In a unanimous decision on the card, judges ruled the fight in favor of Shields 97-92, 99-90, and 100-89, making her the undisputed unified women's heavyweight champion.
Shields is the only boxer, male or female, to unify all four belts (WBC, WBF, WBO & IBF) to become undisputed world championship in five different weight classes (Light Middleweight, Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Junior Middleweight) along with capturing the inaugural WBA heavyweight title.
After the match was done, Shields was excited about the win, but she revealed that she would need surgery on her shoulder after suffering an injury before the fight. Shields said she was not able to lift her left arm at the end of last week's training preparation.
"I actually think I'm going to have to have surgery on my left arm. I tore my labrum last week, so the fight almost didn't happen," Shields said,
via ESPN. "I didn't want to let Flint down, but I really couldn't use my jab the way that I wanted to, but I did the best that I could. I iced it, I did therapy, and now I think I'm going to have shoulder surgery."
An abundance of fans, family, and friends were in attendance at the fight, including Flint's mayor Sheldon Neeley who expressed his sentiment for Shields.
"Claressa Shields, Flint’s favorite daughter, has brought the spirit of love, strength, and happiness back to this community," said Neeley. "Bringing this worldwide event here really speaks to her true nature, and she has been a true champion of our community. Tonight really represents all the things she has brought back home to us."
Shields is the first American heavyweight, male or female, to win an undisputed championship since Riddick Bowe in 1992. The 'GWOAT' (Greatest Woman of All Time) continues to leave her mark in boxing history, Flint history, and beyond.
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