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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – APRIL 13: Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Christina Hammer (not pictured) and becoming the women’s undisputed middleweight champion at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on April 13, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – APRIL 13: Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Christina Hammer (not pictured) and becoming the women’s undisputed middleweight champion at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on April 13, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Boxer turned mixed martial artist, Claressa Shields, has spoken about her desire to cement her legacy as the ‘GOAT’. The undefeated American said she’s willing to move down to 147 lbs to take on Katie Taylor. However, she explained what it would take.
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NEW YORK , United States – 1 June 2019; Katie Taylor during her Undisputed Female World Lightweight Championship fight with Delfine Persoon at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Both Taylor and Shields are hailed as the two greatest female boxers in the sport’s history. Both have held all-four belts in their respective divisions. However, there has been an ongoing debate as to who is better.
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Shields has now had her say about the situation. Speaking to the Metro Shields first said she considers herself the ‘GOAT’ because of her fighting style. ‘T-Rex’ referenced Taylor’s fight against Delfine Persoon and said she would never let a fight get that close.
Shields then said she would be open to fighting the Irishwoman to settle the debate.
“I would go to 147lbs for a fight with Katie Taylor, ‘I was willing to go to 147 for a fight against Cecilia Braekhus and I will still go to 147 to fight Jessica McCaskill. ‘But my thing is, if you want me to come to 147 you have to pay me to come to 147,” said Shields.
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Can the Claressa Shields vs. Katie Taylor fight happen?
The American’s comments showed she is ready to make the weight cut to fight the Irishwoman. However, the problem is that Taylor fights at lightweight. Therefore, it will a challenge for the ‘Bray Bomber’ to go up to welterweight.
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Despite this, Taylor has said she would go to welterweight at maximum. Thus, both fighters would have to compromise two weight classes to make this fight. But, the complications do not end there.
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Claressa Shields works out during a pre fight media workout at the Downtown Boxing Gym on October 02, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Shields will fight Marie-Eve Dicaire and then she has a high-profile clash against Savannah Marshall. Moreover, she has her MMA career to add to this busy schedule. Therefore, it would be a while before we can actually see this fight happening.
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What do you make of Claressa Shields’ comments? Do you think she should come down in weight to fight Katie Taylor? Who do you think would win if this fight happened?
