Claressa Shields beats Danielle Perkins to become boxing’s first undisputed women’s heavyweight champion
Claressa Shields made history in her hometown of Flint.
The “GWOAT” defeated Danielle Perkins by unanimous decision to become boxing’s first-ever women’s undisputed heavyweight champion. She also earned the accolade of being the only three-division undisputed champion, male or female, of the four-belt era.
Shields (16-0, 3 KOs) is known for her strong jab, but that was nonexistent on Sunday night at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. She explained in her post-fight interview that she was unable to use her jab because she tore a labrum in her left shoulder just nine days prior to fight night.
Shields, Uncrowned’s No. 1 pound-for-pound women’s boxer in the world, instead focused her efforts on landing the straight right hand and overhand right on the southpaw Perkins, which she did consistently throughout the fight. She hurt Perkins for the first time in Round 3 with an overhand right and almost secured an early knockout, but Perkins managed to stand up to the assault that followed.
In Round 7, a straight right hand buzzed Perkins heavily, and Shields once again looked for a finish that didn’t come. To her credit, Perkins became more aggressive in the final three rounds, looking to get her own work off on Shields.
With around 10 seconds to go in the 10th and final round, Perkins threw a slow left hand, which Shields slipped and countered with a sharp right, flooring Perkins. There wasn’t any time left for Shields to look for the finish as the final bell rang just after the referee signaled for the action to resume.
Shields was awarded every round on one scorecard, 100-89, nine rounds on a second scorecard, 99-90, and seven rounds on the third card, 97-92. She said in her post-fight interview that she wished to box two more times in 2025, naming a list of potential opponents, which included Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Hanna Gabriels, Savannah Marshall, MMA legend Cris Cyborg and retired trailblazer Laila Ali.
Check out full results, highlights and play-by-play of the Shields-vs.-Perkins fight card below.
Main Card
Undisputed heavyweight title: Claressa Shields def. Danielle Perkins via unanimous decision (100-89, 97-92, 99-90)
Heavyweight: Brandon Moore def. Skylar Lacy via 8th-round DQ | Watch video
Super welterweight: Joseph Hicks Jr. def. Keon Papillion via 7th-round TKO | Watch video
Super lightweight: Joshua Pagan def. Ronal Ron via unanimous decision (79-73, 78-74, 78-74)
Super featherweight: Caroline Veyre def. Carmen Vargas via unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)
Super bantamweight: Ashleyann Lozada def. Denise Moran via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
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Shields wants two more fights in 2025
Claressa Shields has said that she wants two more fights in 2025 and named five potential opponents: Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Hanna Gabriels, Savannah Marshall, Cris Cyborg, and Laila Ali.
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Shields injured left shoulder in training!
Claressa Shields revealed in her post-fight interview that she suffered an injury to her left shoulder, which prevented her from using her jab like she would’ve liked to.
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Shields beats Perkins via UD
Claressa Shields defeats Danielle Perkins by a wide unanimous decision (100-89, 97-92, 99-90) to win the undisputed women’s heavyweight title.
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DOWN GOES PERKINS IN THE TENTH
Counter right hand from Shields gets through. Perkins is on the attack, looking for a knockout punch in the final round. She eats punishment from Shields as she attempts to close the gap. Good effort from Perkins, though, she is not here to lay down.
Perkins attempts a slow straight left hand, Shields slips and counters with a powerful right hand. DOWN GOES PERKINS for the first time in the contest. Just over ten seconds left, it won’t be enough for Shields to get a KO. We’re headed for the scorecards!
10-8 Shields, 100-89 Shields
