Two undefeated Middleweight world champions will meet when Claressa Shields faces Christina Hammer on Saturday, November 17 live on Showtime from the Adrian Phillips Theater in Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
This incredible unification matchup will determine the women’s undisputed 160-pound world champion and will be showcased as the main event of Showtime Boxing: Special Edition at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Shields recently spoke with the LA Times to promote the recently announced fight and took time to discuss her goals, role models and what she learned from the GOAT, Muhammad Ali.
“I want to be the greatest,” said Shields. “With the talk, with us [her and Shields] both being great fighters and the personal stuff involved, people really want to see me fight.”
Shields is never hesitant to speak her mind–some people love her for it and others genuinely dislike her for it. Regardless, Shields stands behind her words and actions, even if she offends people along the way.
“That’s just who I am, a human being,” said Shields. “I’ve been doing it since the amateurs. I watched Ali and figured out what triggered fighters. It’s part of boxing.”
Shields also spoke about Serena Williams, the tennis great who she was considered as her sports icon. Surprisingly–or perhaps not–Shields’ perception of the tennis legend changed after a 2016 meeting.
“She was just not a nice person—not fan-friendly and kind of mean,” said Shields. “It made me not want to be like her. I’m not a fan of her as a person.”
For Shields, greatness means opening up and making herself more accessible to the media and general public–something she told us in an interview earlier this year took some time getting used to.
Thrust into the spotlight after winning two Olympic gold medals, Shields now has her sights set on becoming the undisputed 160-pound champion.
The November 17 clash with Hammer promises to be an exciting one and it will be interesting to see what the boxing betting lines open up at for the highly-anticipated matchup.
For more information on Shields vs. Hammer and more boxing betting visit https://www.beabetterbettor.com.
Photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
