Claressa Shields, born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, is a distinguished American professional boxer and mixed martial artist. She gained prominence as an amateur by winning gold medals in the middleweight division at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, becoming the first American female boxer to achieve consecutive Olympic golds.
Turning professional in 2016, Shields rapidly ascended the boxing world. She became the undisputed world champion in the middleweight division in 2019 and achieved the same status in the light-middleweight division in 2021, making her the first boxer, male or female, to hold undisputed titles in two different weight classes.
In February 2025, Shields made history by securing the women’s heavyweight title, becoming the first undisputed world champion in three different weight classes. She defeated Danielle Perkins by unanimous decision in Flint, Michigan, improving her professional record to 16-0.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Shields’ life story was portrayed in the biopic “The Fire Inside,” released in December 2024. The film, directed by Rachel Morrison and starring Ryan Destiny as Shields, delves into her journey from a challenging upbringing to Olympic success and the hurdles she faced in her career.
Shields’ relentless pursuit of excellence and her advocacy for women’s sports have solidified her legacy as one of the most influential figures in boxing history.