Claressa Shields outclasses Cornejo
Claressa Shields, the reigning undisputed middleweight champion, has once again proven why she is widely regarded as one of the greatest female boxers of all time. In a lopsided unanimous decision, she defended her title against Maricela Cornejo on Saturday night, in what was the first boxing card held at the Little Caesars Arena. With scores of 100-89 on one card and 100-90 on the other two, Shields showcased her boxing prowess and gave her opponent little chance to mount a serious challenge.
Despite the victory, Shields was not completely satisfied, stating that the only thing she could have done better was to secure a knockout. "You saw the best of me tonight," she said. "Maricela is smart and she's tough, but I think I would have knocked a lot of girls out with the punches I landed." Shields' confidence is well-founded, as she has already won two Olympic gold medals and professional titles at super welterweight (154 pounds), middleweight (160 pounds), and super middleweight (168 pounds).
Cornejo, Shields' opponent, tried to give her a tough challenge with her solid jab and movement, but she couldn't generate enough power to keep the champion from coming forward. Shields opened a cut over Cornejo's right eye in the fifth round and hurt her with a series of combinations in the seventh. Although a straight right sent Cornejo into the ropes, the round ended before Shields could finish her. Cornejo tired in the final rounds but was able to fend the champion off to make it to the final bell.
Despite her success in boxing, Shields has not ruled out returning to MMA. She had two fights in 2021, winning one and losing the other. "I have some decisions to make going forward," Shields said. "I tend to focus on boxing, because that's what I'm best at, but I don't have any problem doing MMA. I think if I give it two years, I can be the champion there, too." Shields' ambition and willingness to take on new challenges are traits that make her a true champion and a role model for aspiring athletes everywhere.
In the end, Shields' latest victory cements her place as one of the greatest female boxers of all time and underscores her remarkable talent, skill, and dedication to the sport. Her fans can eagerly anticipate what she will achieve next, as she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of boxing.
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