“WORTH IT THO”: Claressa Shields, and Mikaela Mayer React to Ginny Fuchs’ Broken Thumb After Winning WBC Interim Title

Ginny Fuchs was determined that nothing, not even a fractured thumb, would obstruct her path to glory. The fiercely driven 36-year-old from Houston, Texas, squared off against Adelaida Ruiz from Los Angeles, California, in an electrifying 10-round super flyweight bout held at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. From the opening bell, the fight was a gripping back-and-forth clash, with both fighters showcasing their grit and skill. In a display of sheer tenacity and unyielding resolve, the 2020 Olympics team captain emerged victorious, earning a hard-fought split decision that underscored her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to her sport.

Judge Jerry Cantu scored the bout 97-93 in favor of Ruiz, while judges Martha Tremblay and Fernando Villareal each had their own verdicts, with Tremblay scoring it 97-93 and Villareal a commanding 100-90 for Fuchs. After the crowd erupted and Fuchs’s hand was lifted in triumph to claim the WBC interim super flyweight title, the newly-crowned champion seized the moment to reveal the excruciating injury she had endured. During the post-fight interview, Fuchs disclosed the details, adding an emotional layer to her hard-earned victory. The fight earned widespread acclaim, with luminaries such as Christine Lopez, Claressa Shields, and Mikaela Mayer among those who lauded the fierce and unforgettable spectacle.

Ginny Fuchs reveals the hook was the culprit

In the interview with Chris Mannix following her victory, Ginny Fuchs recounted the moment her injury became apparent. “I felt it the first round, it was a hook. I thought I just jammed it. Then I took off my glove, and I was like, ‘Oh s**t, I broke it’,” she revealed with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Despite battling through the pain, Fuchs showcased remarkable resilience and skill, landing an impressive 154 punches out of the 497 she threw, according to CompuBox statistics. In contrast, her opponent, Adelaida Ruiz, managed to connect with 123 out of 460 punches, highlighting Fuchs’s superior accuracy and tenacity in the ring.

This thrilling bout marked Adelaida Ruiz’s first title defense since she captured the belt in 2022. Ginny Fuchs’s victory not only elevated her to the forefront of the super flyweight division but also set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with WBC junior bantamweight champion Asley Gonzalez for the title. However, Fuchs’s immediate focus will be on recovering from the severe injury she sustained, a topic that has ignited extensive debate and speculation among fans and experts alike across social media and boxing forums.

Claressa Shields brands Fuchs a gangster

Even though the fight was an opener for the much-talked-about Diego Pacheco vs. Maciej Sulecki super middleweight bout on DAZN, it managed to leave the viewers amazed. Assistant coach for Team USA boxing Christine Lopez reflected on the fight and praised Fuchs for her efforts. “Congrats @GinnyFuchsUSA! this is women’s boxing y’all,” Lopez wrote. Since Fuchs competed in the 2020 Olympics, Lopez and Fuchs must have worked together at the time. 

Meanwhile, WBC heavyweight champion Claressa Shields hopped on X, reacting to Fuchs’ interview, stating that she was a “gangster.” Shields wrote, “Such a gangster 😂😂 win by any means necessary.” Fuchs didn’t just win—she fought through a broken thumb for eight rounds, which is commendable on its own. 

Even former super featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer jumped in to share her thoughts on the Fuchs’ injury. “Bruh!!!! WORTH IT THO 😆 CONGRATS GINNYYYYYY,” Mayer wrote. However, this injury may affect when Fuchs returns to the ring.

The injury also drew reactions from fans, with one user branding Fuchs as “crazy” for continuing to fight through the pain. “That’s a whole bone sticking out 😂 She’s crazy,” a user commented. Notably, the adrenaline and excitement about the fight may have kept her focus on her opponent rather than her injury. 

Another user was also in utter shock at the injury and Fuchs’ win despite it. “😱😱😱 Ginny fought with a broken bone that was sticking out her thumb!!! And won,” the user remarked. Such injuries are pretty common in boxing. In fact, during the 2016 fight between Deontay Wilder and Chris Arreola, the former broke his right hand before tearing his right bicep. Despite this, Wilder won the fight dominantly.

That said, Ginny Fuchs pulled off quite the performance despite her broken thumb. Hopefully, this won’t hinder her future endeavors in the ring, and fans will get to see her in action soon. What did you think about Fuchs’ broken thumb?