Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer - April 13, 2019

[Roars Like Me]

I saw the fight where Shields was put down in and few others. She still seems really wild with her punches, needs to calm it down a little imho.
Hammer on the other hand, again imho, is calmer but very upright, more robotic, seems heavy in the arms with her shots.

If Shields can show some composure, she's very quick and speed kills and all that

[Cyclops]

Hey hey now...! Might be true but ya never know!

That’s a man, baby!

[Bard of Boxrec]

Christina could hammer me any day.

This may be the first female bout I’ve ever chosen to watch all the way through . I hope Christina does it .

[jamamb]

a lot of votes for shields ko but she hasnt even scored a knock down in her career

[Ruthless-RKO]

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By Keith Idec

NEW YORK – Claressa Shields hopes fans of women’s boxing at least appreciate the willingness she and Christina Hammer have shown.

Unlike rivalries from an earlier era, the two best female middleweights in boxing have agree to determine 160-pound supremacy in the ring. That, Shields says, separates them from their predecessors as they head toward their 10-round title unification fight April 13 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“I just think for women’s boxing it’s one of those super fights that we never had happen,” Shields said during a press conference Tuesday in Manhattan. “This is the Laila Ali versus Ann Wolfe. This is the Lucia Rijker versus Christy Martin. We’ve never had that in women’s boxing, so for this to be the first, this is great. And then, we’re from two different parts of the world, which makes the fight even better.”

Fast forward 15½ years, and actual middleweights want to show the world what women’s boxing can become.

“I think this fight is the real deal and will be the game-changer for women’s boxing,” Hammer said Tuesday. “It will inspire a lot of women’s boxing, a lot of women and female athletes who want to live your dream and fight for that. And yeah, it’s a good motivation for all.”

Showtime will televise this historic bout between the 23-year-old Shields (8-0, 2 KOs), of Flint, Michigan, and the 28-year-old Hammer (24-0, 11 KOs, 1 NC), of Dortmund, Germany. They’ll fight for Shields’ IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles, as well as Hammer’s WBO championship.

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Two undefeated heavyweight prospects will put their unblemished records on the line when they fight in separate bouts on Saturday, April 13 live on SHOWTIME from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J on the undercard of the Claressa Shields-Christina Hammer groundbreaking event. Top American heavyweight prospect Jermaine Franklin will take on former No. 1-ranked U.S. amateur Rydell Booker in the 10-round co-featured bout while undefeated Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin will battle highly decorated amateur Nick Kisner in a 10-round clash that will open the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In the main event, undefeated middleweight world champions Shields and Hammer will meet to crown the women’s undisputed 160-pound world champion in what is arguably the most significant women’s boxing event in history.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are priced at $150, $100, $55 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster and at boardwalkhall.com.

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[jamamb]

dang ress, u tell them

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Who necks??

Sam Peters returning on this card

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[Duran1970]

Decent matchup...hammer better not box too much unless it's effective cuz she's fighting in a foreign land and can't expect fair judging.
Ann Wolfe would've vaporized either of these two.

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Here are highlights of what Hammer had to say as we head into fight week for this historic event:

How excited are you about fighting in the U.S.?

Christina Hammer: “I’m really excited about it because this is a very big fight. I can’t wait to get there, step into the ring and put on a great performance.”

What does this fight mean to you?

CH: “This is going to be the biggest women’s fight in history. We’re both champions, she has Olympic gold medals and other accolades, so with all of that combined, it’s going to be a game changer for our sport.”

What do you need to do to win?

CH: “I’m a long time champion and I know what to do in the ring. I know I have the skills to beat her. I have great foot work and my goal is to beat her badly.”

What do you think of Claressa inside and outside of the ring?

CH: “Claressa has obviously accomplished a lot going back to the Olympics. This is a big step for her and I think it’s going to be a challenge for her. As a person, she’s just my opponent, that’s all.”

Can you describe your style of fighting and what fans can expect on April 13?

CH: “I’m tall for my division so I use my reach. I have great footwork and technique and power and I want to show off all those skills. I’m going to show that Christina Hammer is a great champion. I like to play with my opponent, and when the moment is right, I beat her down.”

Can you talk about your experiences as a fashion model and why that’s important to you?

CH: “I like modeling because it’s a different part of me. You can be more feminine and athletic. I did my first shoot three years ago and I had never done anything like that. I’ve worked on my skills there too.

“To be a model is an easy job, it just gives me confidence. Being a fighter is hard. You have to give everything, because in the ring you can’t run away. You have to fight and defeat someone.”

Would you ever want to compete in another sport?

CH: “I don’t know. Boxing is the best sport to me. It’s my passion. I give everything to the sport and my dream now is to be successful in America.”

Is there anyone in boxing history you’d have loved to fight?

CH: “Laila Ali was a great champion and If I fought her that would be a great fight.”

Do you see women’s boxing as a sport on the rise?

CH: “Yes, it’s really grown in recent years. There are more fights on big platforms for us and I think this is just the start.”

Would you recommend for other women to go into boxing?

CH: “Boxing is a great sport. You need technique, intelligence and it makes you feel more confident. If something happens, you can take care of yourself. It’s the best workout and I suggest it to everyone.”

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Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw wasn’t the only prominent sports figure that spoke out against gender inequality Thursday.

On the same day McGraw made an impassioned plea during an interview prior to the women’s Final Four, Claressa Shields expressed her own views on the topic while she was interviewed as part of a media workout in Miami. Shields, the IBF/WBC/WBO women’s middleweight champion, is finishing up training camp there for her 10-round, 160-pound title unification fight against Germany’s Christina Hammer on April 13 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“I work hard, really hard,” Shields said. “If I was a man, I would probably be one of the most famous boxers out there. There is a gender gap. We all know it. I’m working towards changing that. We work hard, we get less money and less recognition, but the world is changing. We are changing it.”

“Hammer has been talking smack, but I’m not worried about her,” Shields said. “I’m just ready for a fight. She talks about a lot of stuff that has nothing to do with boxing. I’m waiting for her to say she’s gonna hit me with an uppercut or something, but it’s more of the same.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shields getting bit annoying now..

Too much talking herself upbout her power.. does she have ?

[SenorPipino]

Shields getting bit annoying now..

Too much talking herself upbout her power.. does she have ?

I don't think so. Few women ever show consistent power.

She does seem quite a bit quicker than Hammer. Shields should outbox her in what may turn out to be a dull, cautious fight.

[jamamb]

lol shields has never even scored a kd, lol at her having big power

shields is actually really annoying , she moans and whines constantly and seems pretty dumb. a perpectual woe is me, im such victim type. she also cheered on uzcategui getting sucker punched yet moaned about pulevs sucker kiss

shell prob win a decision though, neither really has much power and i figure clar gets benefit of doubt on cards

[lazboy]

Pretty much what others have said - Hammer has all the advantages and is far better looking bar the speed but a little speed shouldn’t befuddle her at this stage in her career - surely she has the experience to deal with it. Especially with that jab.

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[Best Coast]

I'm not really into women's boxing but this is such an epic matchup I might actually watch some of it as long as it doesnt interfere with catching the key bouts on the competing fight cards of DAZN or FS1.

As for my prediction I've got it too close to call, so I picked Draw. But I will definitely be pulling for Shields!!

[jamamb]

sheilds is obnoxious if you actually read what she says rather then just blindly following the good girl overcoming adversity boring narrative, maybe shell sucker punch hammer after just like she was so happy unc did to uzcategui

[lazboy]

sheilds is obnoxious if you actually read what she says rather then just blindly following the good girl overcoming adversity boring narrative, maybe shell sucker punch hammer after just like she was so happy unc did to uzcategui

She one of these delusional Ronda Rousey or Adrian Broner type people - lot of boasting and nastiness.

I would love for her to be humbled/hammered. Her speed seems to be good and she can hit while being hit. That’s my only concern. Hammer should be smart enough to stay away, time her and pot shot her. Easier said then done.

[Ruthless-RKO]

She one of these delusional Ronda Rousey or Adrian Broner type people - lot of boasting and nastiness.

I would love for her to be humbled/hammered. Her speed seems to be good and she can hit while being hit. That’s my only concern. Hammer should be smart enough to stay away, time her and pot shot her. Easier said then done.

The quicker she loses the better. I hope Hammer jabs her head off.

[lazboy]

The quicker she loses the better. I hope Hammer jabs her head off.

Same. Apparently she is the gwoat - greatest women athlete of all time.