Claressa Shields adding more impressive achievements to her Hall of Fame career
Boxing Superstar Shields Awarded “Sportswoman of the Year” by Women’s Sport Foundation; Presented with Plaque and Painting by WBO
Photo Credit: V. Planas
Boxing’s “G.W.O.A.T.” and the reigning undisputed middleweight world champion, Claressa Shields added more impressive laurels to her Hall of Fame career last week, as she was named “Individual Sportswoman of the Year” by the Women’s Sports Foundation at their annual Salute to Women in Sports dinner and was also honored by the World Boxing Organization at their 36th Annual Congress.
Considered the biggest awards night in women's sports and held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City last Thursday, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Salute to Women in Sports Awards honors game-changing female athletes for their achievements on and off the field.
Shields, who already holds the record for becoming a two and three-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights, and is the only boxer in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing simultaneously in two weight classes, once again made history by becoming the only woman to win the prestigious Women’s Sports Foundation award three times.
“It’s always great to be recognized for my hard work and dedication to the sport,” said Shields. “Being a two-weight, three-time undisputed champion hasn’t been done before. I’m happy we’re raising the bar to show that women are elite. Thank you to the Women’s Sports Foundation and the WBO for always considering me and for these honors.”
A two-time Olympic boxing gold medalist, Shields won in the individual category, while basketball player and three-time paralympic medalist, Natalie Schneider won in the team category.
Earlier in week, at the WBO’s convention at the Barceló Bávaro Palace Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Shields was honored with a painting and a gold-plated plaque as “special recognition for her historic achievements.”
Currently the undisputed female champion of 154 and 160 pounds and WBO Super Champion, 28-year-old Shields was presented the awards during a meeting of boxing personalities and WBO officials. The painting depicts Shields wearing her WBO belt with the words “Super Champion” above her.
Shields’ long-time promoter Dmitriy Salita was on-hand for both presentations and having been with Shields throughout her career, spoke to her ability to lift women’s boxing up through the honorifics she received last week.
“Claressa Shields has been on a mission for equality, recognition and unparalleled greatness in the ring,” said Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “We are grateful for the honor at the WBO convention and the steps taken to recognize a historic boxer like Claressa. It is incredible to see the great strides in the growth of women’s boxing in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, Claressa being honored once again by the Women’s Sports Foundation truly speaks to the reach, even beyond boxing, that Claressa has garnered because of her hard work and incredible achievements.”
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