Claressa Shields Looking to Prove She’s the Best

By David A. Avila

Claressa “T-Rex” Shields claims to be the best female fighter pound for pound.

Nothing wrong with confidence.

Shields (3-0) looks to prove her claim when she faces Germany’s undefeated Nikki Adler (16-0) for the WBC and IBF super middleweight world titles on Friday Aug. 4, at the MGM Grand Detroit, in Detroit, Mich. Showtime will televise the 10-round affair.

Brash talk or not, the former two-time Olympic gold medalist has set a course toward opening ears and eyes with her talent; Whether it’s against world champions or critics, the 22-year-old Shields looks to walk the walk.

“I’ve done something that no other person in America has done. I’m the greatest woman of all time!” said Shields.

Defending the world title will be Adler a 30-year-old from Bayern, Germany who began her pro career a mere seven years ago. She captured the world title in 2013 with a unanimous decision over Zane Brige who had two wins and three losses. She also has a win over Szilvia Szabados who also lost to Shields.

Adler’s best win so far was a knockout victory against Elene Sikmashvili a year ago. But Shields is by far her best opponent. Yet, you have to credit the German world champion for her willingness to travel to Detroit to face Shields in her home turf and with American judges. It takes guts.

Few female boxers are willing to travel to other countries to face elite competition.

Shields as an amateur knows the stumbling blocks that exist for anyone fighting in another country. She’s fought all over the world.

The world title fight between Shields and Adler will be one of the few opportunities that women boxers are given to showcase their talent. It’s also the former Olympians biggest opportunity to prove she’s among the very best.

Does she feel the pressure from her previous comments about being the best pound for pound female fighter in the world?

“No pressure!” said Shields. “I was gonna punish Nikki whether she talked trash or not.”

Recently, Shields and world recognized Layla McCarter, who many consider the actual best female fighter pound for pound, have exchanged testy words on social media.

“She just upset because I say I’m pound for pound (the best)! And it’s the truth. She is just in denial,” said Shields about McCarter.

Still, the Michigan prizefighter will be facing Adler on Saturday, not McCarter.

“I always have the entire world watching. Some people want me to win and some want the opposite,” she said. “But I know what I can do, I’m just going to do it and dominate like always.”

Showtime will televise the championship fight at 10:30 p.m.

 To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

READ: TOP RANK SIGNS US OLYMPIAN MIKAELA MAYER; IS SHANNON O’CONNELL NEXT?