The men aren’t the only ones that can make a superfight. Undefeated middleweight champions Claressa Shields (WBA/IBF) and Christina Hammer (WBC/WBO) have finalized a deal to unify their titles November 17 live on Showtime at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
The fight has been in the works since the beginning of the year. On June 22, Shields headlined a Showtime card where she defeated super-welterweight titlist Hannah Gabriels by unanimous decision. In the co-main event, Hammer easily outpointed Tori Nelson for a wide decision win.
The clash between Shields and Hammer will be only the second fight in female boxing history to crown an undisputed champion. The winner will also join Oleksandr Usyk as the only current undisputed title-holder in boxing.
“I’ve worked hard my whole life to overcome every obstacle, represent my country and win two Olympic gold medals, and win world championships in two weight divisions as a pro,” Shields said. “I want to be part of the biggest fight in women’s boxing history, I want to be undisputed world middleweight champion, I want women’s boxing to reach new heights, and the only thing standing between me and the achievement of all those goals is Christina Hammer. I will defeat Hammer on November 17, and I will do it in a way that will leave no doubt who is the best in the world.”
Hammer has an experience edge with 23 pro fights since 2009 compared to Shields’s 6-0 ledger since her 2016 debut.
“I am beyond excited and motivated to fight Claressa,” Hammer said. “I am the best middleweight in the world and will make that point very clear when we get in the ring. It’s been my dream to fight in the biggest women’s fight of all time and raise women’s boxing to an all-time high. I will be crowned the undisputed middleweight queen on November 17.”
Tickets for the event go on sale this Friday September 28 and are priced at $35-150. The undercard will be announced in the coming weeks
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If only all superfights were this easy to make. Claressa Shields has been moving at a breakneck speed to become undisputed champ. Hammer is by far her biggest challenge – Christina’s height, consistent jab, longer reach and footwork will be the barriers Claressa will have to overcome to get inside where her faster hands can do real damage.
If you’re looking to get into women’s boxing, this is the fight where you’ll get a nice contrast of styles and a high-level of skill. Don’t mess it.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 