Salita: Shields-Hammer Will Revolutionize Women’s Boxing To Next Level

Hammer was diagnosed with an undisclosed stomach ailment that prevented her from training. The WBC later declared Germany’s Hammer its middleweight champion in recess. Shields (7-0, 2 KOs) won the WBC’s interim middleweight title when she defeated Scotland’s Hannah Rankin (5-3, 1 KO) by unanimous decision in their 10-rounder at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The 23-year-old Shields (8-0, 2 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Flint, Michigan, also owns the IBF and WBA middleweight titles. The 28-year-old Hammer (24-0, 11 KOs, 1 NC) holds the WBO title as well. “When Claressa first fought on Showtime, about three years ago, she was the main event, in only her second professional fight,” Salita said. “Shortly thereafter, other networks’ respect for women’s boxing was raised. So, I feel that Claressa has been raising women’s boxing to the next level with every one of her fights. In such a significant event as this one, when two of the best women in the world want to fight each other, that is going to raise the sport to the next level.”