Undefeated Pro Women’s Boxer Claressa Shields To Fight In MMA League, Becoming A 2-Sport Athlete: ‘It has Been My Goal To Be The GWOAT…There Are No Limits To What A Woman Can Do’
Bo Jackson played two pro sports. Deion Sanders played two pro sports. Claressa Shields now plans on being a two-sport athlete as the MMA Professional Fighters League announced they’ve signed Shields who’s “considered the best female boxer in the world”.
It’s one of Shields’ goals, to “be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.”
The two-time Olympic gold medalist is undefeated in her pro boxing career and had a 77-1 amateur boxing record per MMA Junkie.
Shields hopes to be the first man or woman who has become a champion in pro boxing and MMA simultaneously.
“I want to thank Professional Fighters League and Peter Murray for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity,” Shields said. “What drew me to the PFL is that it is definitely a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to be a part of that. Since turning pro it has been my goal to be the GWOAT and to be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. I want to go where no man or woman has gone and hold championships in both boxing and MMA at the same time. The one-two punch of PFL in MMA and Salita Promotions in boxing will allow me to continue to show that there are no limits to what a woman can do. I can’t wait to get to work!”
Claressa Shields per Professional Fighters League
Shields is a Flint, Michigan native per ESPN and Shields says she’s “attended ‘a few’ jiu-jitsu classes and has done some work with U.S. Olympic wrestler Adeline Gray” according to ESPN.
“Shields is the consensus number one female pound-for-pound boxer in the world today, and has long expressed her intentions to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts as well, with aspirations of becoming the greatest two-sport athlete of all time and simultaneously holding world championships in boxing and MMA. In addition to her two Olympic golds, Shields is a two-time amateur world champion and the fastest boxer to earn titles in three different divisions.”
Professional Fighters League
The Professional Fighters League also points out Shields’ work outside of the ring, being “an advocate for youth development and women’s rights. In 2016, Shields was voted as the SportsWoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King.”
“I am thrilled to announce that the PFL has signed Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic Boxing gold medalist and three-division pro boxing world champion,” Peter Murray, Professional Fighters League CEO, said. “She has transcended sports and has become a global icon, and an inspiration to aspiring young athletes. Claressa is an incredible human being, a bonafide star athlete, and has an amazing story.”
As Shields said: “…there are no limits to what a woman can do. I can’t wait to get to work!”
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