Photo: Getty Images
Boxer Claressa Shields has made history as the first-ever undisputed women's heavyweight champion.
On Sunday (February 2), Shields defeated Danielle Perkins by unanimous decision to become boxing's first-ever women's undisputed heavyweight champion, per ESPN. Sunday's win also makes Shields the first boxer, male or female, to become the undisputed champion in three different weight classes in the four-belt era.
Shields shattered Perkins' undefeated record after landing a right hook in the final seconds of the 10th and final round. Sunday's defeat makes Perkins 5-1 in her career with two knockouts, while Shields remains undefeated at 16-0 with three knockouts.
Following the match, Shields said her historic victory almost didn't happen due to an injury she suffered before the fight.
"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, per 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."
Shields said Perkins was "strong as hell" but she used her patience to strike her opponent within the final seconds once her guard was down.
"My experience and my skills got me over it and also, I've been in plenty of street fights with bigger people and I had to use some of my skills in that today, too. So, when I dropped her in the last round, it's because she got greedy," Shields said of her opponent.
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