Claressa Shields and Floyd Mayweather, boxing’s two of the greatest ever were recently under the same hood as a treat to the fans of the sport. The undisputed female light middleweight champion of the world, who is set to defend her throne this Friday night, made a visit to the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, which is owned by the former fifteen times world champion, “Money”.
Following a unanimous decision victory over Marie-Eve Dicaire in March last year, Claressa Shields is eyeing an eventful 2022. Aside from her upcoming title defense against Slovenia’s Ema Kozin on 5th February at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Cardiff, Wales which is her UK debut as a pro, Shields is cooking up a rivalry with WBO female middleweight champion Savannah Marshall.
A win against Kozin will set Shields up for a super fight against Marshall this summer, and the bout is likely to be in the UK as well. The two squared off earlier as amateurs and it was the only defeat that Shields has ever suffered inside the squared circle.
The opportunity with Mayweather just kind of presented itself: Claressa Shields
In the gym with @FloydMayweather ! Feb 5th gonna be different! Make my words! pic.twitter.com/1tfxwrpfZv
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) January 26, 2022
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Shields revealed her interaction with Floyd Mayweather at his gym in Las Vegas. The undefeated “GWOAT” said Mayweather gave her advice regarding how to face the UK crowd, as well as how Amateur and Professional boxing contrast one another.
“Floyd told me I was going in the right direction,” said Shields, “Not a lot of US fans get to have the experience of going to see what fans in the UK are like. He told me a lot about his experience fighting Ricky Hatton. We talked a lot about my skills, but also about the difference between amateurs and pros. In the pros you really have to stay calm and take your time. Even in two-minute rounds, he was telling me to slow down and really see those shots coming.
“The opportunity with Mayweather just kind of presented itself. Floyd heard I was coming and he opened up his gym to me and my team. It was great to see him spar and be in his presence. It was great to talk to him too and really see what he’s like. It’s great to hear that he’s a huge fan of me and that him and his kids like to watch my fights. It was a great experience overall,” she added. [H/T Boxingscene.com]
Highlights:
- Undisputed female light middleweight champion Claressa Shields recently visited Floyd Mayweather at his Las Vegas gym, ahead of her upcoming title defense against Ema Kozin this Friday
- Shields will be making her debut as a pro on English soil and received advice from Mayweather on how to face the UK crowd
