American · Flint, Michigan, USA · Born 17 March 1995Claressa Shields is an American boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist who became undisputed champion in three different weight divisions.
The first American woman ever to win an Olympic boxing title, Claressa Shields took gold at London 2012 and defended it successfully at Rio 2016, becoming the only American boxer of either gender to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals before turning professional and winning undisputed world titles in multiple weight divisions. She won the gold medal in the middleweight division, becoming the first American woman ever to win an Olympic boxing title. Shields, nicknamed "T-Rex," defended her Olympic title at the Rio 2016 Games, becoming the first American boxer of either gender to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the sport, before turning professional later that year. Shields has become undisputed champion in multiple weight divisions as a professional, unifying all four major world titles at both junior middleweight and middleweight, and has openly campaigned for greater recognition and pay equity within women's boxing, often calling herself the "GWOAT" (Greatest Woman of All Time). Shields has also competed in mixed martial arts with the Professional Fighters League, adding another dimension to a career built on dominating virtually every level of competition she has faced, and remains one of the most influential and outspoken figures in the modern growth of women's professional boxing.
First American boxer to win back-to-back Olympic golds; multi-division undisputed champion
How They Played
Orthodox stance, aggressive counter-puncher with excellent ring IQ
Lasting Impact
Considered one of the greatest female boxers of all time, transforming women's boxing
Career Honours
- 2012 & 2016 Olympic gold medals
- undisputed champion in 3 divisions in the four-belt era
American Athletes