Claressa Shields: Two-Time Olympic Gold-Medal Winner /Multi-World Champion

Claressa Shields was born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan. She earned her famous nickname, “T-Rex,” at an early age due to her short, fast arms and aggressive, relentless fighting style in the gym.  “T-Rex” quickly became a dominant force in the amateur boxing world:

• 2012 Olympic Gold: Won the middleweight gold medal in London at just 17 years old.
• 2016 Olympic Gold: Defended her title in Rio, becoming the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals.
• Amateur Record: Compiled a legendary record of 77 wins and only 1 loss.

Professional Career and World Titles

Shields turned professional in November 2016, immediately targeting the biggest names and titles in women’s boxing.  Her rapid rise through the professional ranks includes several key milestones:

• Super Middleweight Champion: Captured the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles in only her fourth pro fight.
• The Tori Nelson Clash: On January 12, 2018, “T-Rex” defended her WBC and IBF titles and fought for the vacant WBAN (Women Boxing Archive Network) super middleweight belt against the undefeated Tori Nelson, winning a dominant 10-round unanimous decision.
• Undisputed Middleweight: Dropped down in weight to completely unify the middleweight division by defeating Christina Hammer in 2019.
• Three-Division Champion: Secured titles at light middleweight, making her the fastest boxer in history to win world titles in three different weight classes.
  *and other belts and awards not listed on this biography.  

Style and Legacy

Inside the ring, “T-Rex” is known for her exceptional hand speed, high volume punching, and supreme defensive skills. Outside the ring, she remains a fierce advocate for equal pay and increased visibility for women’s combat sports.

Claressa Shields holds an undefeated professional boxing record of 18-0 and a professional MMA record of 2-1. 

Professional Boxing Record

Professional MMA Record & Sole Loss

Shields competed in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Her single MMA defeat occurred on October 27, 2021, when she suffered a split decision loss to Abigail Montes at the 2021 PFL World Championships. [1, 2]