Claressa Shields defeated Tori Nelson to retain her WBC and IBF Super Middleweight titles after a unanimous points decision at the Turning Stones Casino, Verona, New York on Friday night.
The judges all scored in Shields’ favour, with all three scoring 100-90 handing the 22 year old the victory.
41 year old Tori Nelson started the fight well, taking it to Shields, but the longer the fight went on, the more Shields looked in control, with her skill and power. Nelson managed a good body shot in the seventh round, sending Shields to the ropes but the former two time Olympic champion used her quick feet and landed a right of her own to send Nelson backwards.
Attempting a knockout in the final round, Nelson came out swinging with hopes of landing a blow. A composed Shields though found her punches connecting to Nelson’s head, before a strong left hand from the champion ended the round and the fight.
Shields spoke of her opponent after the fight. “I didn’t think she was a walkover, but I was better skilled and was stronger. She did her game plan, but I just did more,” Shields said. “I landed every shot I thought possible to land. She was just tough.”
WBO and WBC Middleweight champion, Christina Hammer, was at ringside for the fight, looking for a potential future opponent, and Shields spoke to ESPN after the fight in regards to the Kazakh boxer.
“I think she’s pretty scared, to be honest. She’s more worried about me than I am her,” Shields said after her win. “I can’t wait to fight her and show her that she isn’t [better than me].”
“I think I can make 160 easy. I’ll definitely be bigger and stronger than the girls. We’ll just have to see what happens. … I can’t wait to fight her.”
The ShoBox event began with Shohjahon Ergashev taking on Sonny Fredrickson. Ergashev stopped his opponent in the third round, taking his tally to 11-0 (11 KO’s).
Whilst not landing a jab in the first and second rounds, Ergashev landed just under 60% of his power punches leaving Fredrickson rocking on his feet. Referee, Benjy Esteves Jr stopped the fight in the third round.
Jesse Hernandez overcame Ernesto Garza in the co-feature in a scrappy but entertaining bout. Hernandez took the victory via a split decision.
