ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- When Claressa Shields and her three world titles step into the ring on April 13 on to take on Christina Hammer, who also brings a world title to the ring, it will be one of the most important fights in the history of women's boxing. Not only are Shields and Hammer two of the best fighters in women's boxing but the winner of this fight will be joining an exclusive club. The only other woman to ever be undisputed is Ceclilia Braekhus, who currently holds all four major belts in the welterweight division, and there have only been four men to be undisputed in the four-belt era. Those fighters are Oleksandr Usyk, Terence Crawford, Jermain Taylor, and Bernard Hopkins. Undisputed status and a place in history will be on the line when Shields and Hammer step into the spotlight on Showtime.
Shields (8-0, 2 KOs) often gets knocked for her lack of knockouts but she would certainly have more if women fought three minutes rounds instead of two. Her best quality is her aggression, she loves to press the action and really lets her hands go. At times, especially when she is pressing for the knockout, she can get too wide with her punches. Shields has to avoid doing that against a sharp puncher like Hammer. Shields has a better jab than she gets credit for and it's a heavy jab. She also has a mean right hand and her left hook is another dangerous weapon. Shields also loves to attack the body so look for her to focus on the body early in an attempt to slow Hammer down. While she is lacking defensively she has shown a good chin and she is the type of fighter whose offense is their defense.
Shields is the only American fighter, male or female, to ever win two Olympic gold medals. She won her first gold at the 2012 London games and her second in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Now, at just 24 years old, Shields will look to become the second undisputed women's boxer ever. While she might not have the high knockout numbers she craves, she has also never been in a close fight and rarely even loses a round. She has become a dominant force in the middleweight division and is recognized as the division's best fighter, with Hammer coming in at second. Shields has beaten quality fighters like Tori Nelson and Hanna Gabriels but Hammer will definitely be the best opponent she has faced in her professional career.
Hammer has a classic style and a 3-inch height and reach advantage against Shields. Her jab is incredibly accurate and she lands it well from the outside. While the jab is Hammer's most used punch, her best punch is a beautiful straight right hand that can stop opponents on their way in. As if those weren't enough, Hammer's left hook isn't bad either but she doesn't go to the body as much as Shields goes. That is because Hammer isn't a great inside fighter, often opting to clinch and then get back on the outside. She is at her best when he can sharp shoot from the outside and control the distance. Defensively Hammer is responsible but not incredibly slick.
Hammer and Shields have one common opponent in Nelson. Shields won all 10 rounds on all three judge's cards while Hammer won all 10 on one judge's card and nine rounds on the other two judge's cards. Hammer also has two wins over the always tough Kali Reis. However, she had an undisclosed illness recently and only fought once in 2018 while Shields fought four times, so she could show a bit of ring rust early.
This fight is going to be all about who controls the distance. Shields is the more aggressive fighter and she loves to get inside, bang to the body, and trade heavy leather. Hammer is completely opposite. She prefers to stay on the outside and use her height and reach advantage to sharp shoot accurate punches and avoid danger. If Hammer can use her jab and straight right hand to keep Shields at the end of her punches she should be able to pick her apart over the course of 10 rounds. Keeping Shields on the outside won't be easy though. Shields doesn't mind eating a few punches as long as it means she can get inside and do damage. If Shields can make this an inside fight she should be able to use her strength and body work to break Hammer down.
PREDICTION: Christina Hammer is the more accurate puncher and doesn't get as wild as Claressa Shields often does. Hammer will put some early rounds in the bank and keep Shields on the outside but she won't be able to do that for all 10 rounds. Eventually Shields will work her way inside and start to do damage, especially to the body. It will be an extremely close fight but the higher punch output of Shields will pay off and she will get the split decision win.
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| Shields digging a body shot against Femke Hermans |
Shields is the only American fighter, male or female, to ever win two Olympic gold medals. She won her first gold at the 2012 London games and her second in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Now, at just 24 years old, Shields will look to become the second undisputed women's boxer ever. While she might not have the high knockout numbers she craves, she has also never been in a close fight and rarely even loses a round. She has become a dominant force in the middleweight division and is recognized as the division's best fighter, with Hammer coming in at second. Shields has beaten quality fighters like Tori Nelson and Hanna Gabriels but Hammer will definitely be the best opponent she has faced in her professional career.
Hammer has a classic style and a 3-inch height and reach advantage against Shields. Her jab is incredibly accurate and she lands it well from the outside. While the jab is Hammer's most used punch, her best punch is a beautiful straight right hand that can stop opponents on their way in. As if those weren't enough, Hammer's left hook isn't bad either but she doesn't go to the body as much as Shields goes. That is because Hammer isn't a great inside fighter, often opting to clinch and then get back on the outside. She is at her best when he can sharp shoot from the outside and control the distance. Defensively Hammer is responsible but not incredibly slick.
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| Hammer catching her opponent with a straight right hand |
This fight is going to be all about who controls the distance. Shields is the more aggressive fighter and she loves to get inside, bang to the body, and trade heavy leather. Hammer is completely opposite. She prefers to stay on the outside and use her height and reach advantage to sharp shoot accurate punches and avoid danger. If Hammer can use her jab and straight right hand to keep Shields at the end of her punches she should be able to pick her apart over the course of 10 rounds. Keeping Shields on the outside won't be easy though. Shields doesn't mind eating a few punches as long as it means she can get inside and do damage. If Shields can make this an inside fight she should be able to use her strength and body work to break Hammer down.
PREDICTION: Christina Hammer is the more accurate puncher and doesn't get as wild as Claressa Shields often does. Hammer will put some early rounds in the bank and keep Shields on the outside but she won't be able to do that for all 10 rounds. Eventually Shields will work her way inside and start to do damage, especially to the body. It will be an extremely close fight but the higher punch output of Shields will pay off and she will get the split decision win.
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