Claressa Maria Shields is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist. She has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the undisputed female light middleweight title.
Here, we have Claressa Shields’ net worth, career earnings, fight purse, professional career, biography, relationship status, and more.
Claressa Shields’ Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Claressa Maria Shields |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
| Boxing Style | Orthodox |
| Team | Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2020–present) (MMA) |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
| Professional Boxing Record | 14 wins (2 by knockout), 0 losses |
| Mixed Martial Arts Record | 1 win (1 by knockout), 1 loss |
| Father | Bo Shields |
| Mother | Marcella Adams |
| Instagram Handle | claressashields |
Early Career
Claressa Shields’ early career is a remarkable story of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking achievements. Born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, Shields grew up in a challenging environment marked by poverty and personal struggles.
Despite these hardships, she found inspiration in her father, Bo Shields, a former underground boxer who introduced her to the sport. At the age of 11, she began training under Jason Crutchfield at Flint’s Berston Field House, quickly showcasing her natural talent and relentless work ethic.
Shields’ amateur career was nothing short of extraordinary. She won two Junior Olympic Championships early on and made waves at the National Police Athletic League Championships in 2011, where she claimed the middleweight title and was named the top overall fighter.
Her success continued as she triumphed at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and secured her spot at the London Olympics. At just 17 years old, Shields became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing by defeating Russian veteran Nadezda Torlopova in the middleweight division.
Following her historic Olympic victory, Shields maintained her dominance in amateur boxing. She won another gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first American boxer—male or female—to win consecutive Olympic gold medals. Her amateur record was an impressive 77-1, with her only loss coming against Savannah Marshall in 2012.
In November 2016, Shields transitioned to professional boxing and continued to make history. She won her debut match against Franchón Crews-Dezurn and quickly captured titles across multiple weight divisions. Her early professional success solidified her reputation as one of the greatest boxers of her generation.
Professional Career
Claressa Shields’ professional career has been nothing short of historic, marked by her dominance across multiple weight classes and her rapid rise to the top of women’s boxing. Turning professional in November 2016 after her unprecedented back-to-back Olympic gold medals, Shields quickly showcased her prowess in the ring.
In just her fourth fight, she captured the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles by defeating Nikki Adler, becoming a world champion faster than almost any boxer in history. She continued to break records by becoming a two-weight world champion in only her sixth professional bout, defeating Hanna Gabriel for the WBA and IBF middleweight titles in 2018.
In April 2019, Shields solidified her status as one of boxing’s all-time greats by defeating Christina Hammer to become the undisputed middleweight champion, holding all four major belts (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) along with The Ring title.
This victory made her the second female boxer in history to unify a division. She later achieved another milestone in March 2021 by becoming the first boxer—male or female—to hold undisputed titles in two weight classes during the four-belt era when she unified the light middleweight division.
Shields has remained undefeated in her professional boxing career, with a record of 16-0 as of February 2025. Known for her technical skill and relentless drive, she has won titles across five weight divisions, including super middleweight, middleweight, light middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. She is the only boxer in history to hold all four major titles in three different divisions simultaneously.
Beyond boxing, Shields has also ventured into mixed martial arts (MMA), debuting in 2021 with a dramatic come-from-behind knockout victory. While balancing both sports, she continues to defend her boxing titles and inspire others with her story of resilience and determination. Shields’ accomplishments have cemented her legacy as one of the greatest athletes in combat sports history.
Husband
Claressa Shields is not married and does not have a husband. She was previously engaged to Tony Richardson, an ISSA-certified fitness trainer and gym owner. The couple first went public with their relationship in 2020 and got engaged in December 2023.
However, by late 2024, Shields confirmed in interviews that the engagement had ended and that they were no longer together. She has expressed her desire to keep her dating life private and has spoken about the challenges of relationships as a successful athlete.
Nickname
Claressa Shields has two nicknames: “T-Rex” and “GWOAT.” The nickname “T-Rex” was given to her when she started boxing at age 11 because she was very skinny and had short arms but was always swinging.
Shields self-proclaimed the nickname “GWOAT,” which stands for “Greatest Woman of All Time,” after she won her second Olympic gold medal.
Claressa Shields’s Net Worth Details
Claressa Shields’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Her wealth primarily comes from her boxing purses, with a significant portion of her income coming from her three-fight exclusive deal with SkySports.
Career Earnings
| Opponent/Event | Year | Fight Purse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah Marshall | 2022 | $1,000,000 | First woman to earn a seven-figure payday in boxing. |
| Maricela Cornejo | 2023 | $500,000 | Earned similar amounts for fights against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. |
| Ema Kozin | 2022 | $350,000 | Estimated purse for this bout. |
| Marie-Eve Dicaire | 2021 | Not disclosed | Significant payday as part of her undisputed middleweight title fight. |
| MMA Debut (PFL) | 2021 | Not disclosed | Signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL; financial terms not public. |
| Various Boxing Fights | 2016–2025 | $15,000,000 (cumulative) | Total career earnings from boxing and MMA fights. |
Endorsements and Sponsorship
Claressa Shields has secured a variety of high-profile endorsement deals throughout her career, making her one of the most marketable athletes in women’s sports. She has partnered with major global brands such as Nike, Puma, and Under Armour, which have helped solidify her status as a prominent figure in boxing and mixed martial arts.
Shields has also collaborated with Monster Energy, Swimsuits For All, Audi, and Powerade, appearing in campaigns like Audi’s 60-second commercial and Powerade’s “Just a Kid” campaign alongside fellow boxer Shakur Stevenson.
In addition to these endorsements, Shields announced new deals in 2023, further expanding her portfolio. She also partnered with Stage Front VIP to offer exclusive fan experiences during her fights, enhancing her connection with her audience while promoting the brand.
Her endorsements span diverse industries, including apparel, accessories, beverages, and lifestyle products, showcasing her versatility as a marketable athlete.
Career Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 16 |
| Wins | 16 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Knockouts (KO) | 3 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Rounds Boxed | 133 |
| Average Fight Length | 8.3 rounds |
| Weight Classes | 5 (Super Middleweight, Middleweight, Light Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight) |
| Undisputed Titles Held | 3 (Middleweight, Light Middleweight, Heavyweight) |
Shields remains undefeated in her professional boxing career and holds the distinction of being the only boxer, male or female, to become undisputed champion in three different weight classes during the four-belt era.
FAQs
1. Who is Claressa Shields?
Claressa Shields is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016) and the only boxer, male or female, to hold undisputed titles in three weight classes during the four-belt era.
2. What is Claressa Shields’ professional boxing record?
As of 2025, Claressa Shields has an undefeated professional boxing record of 16 wins, with 3 by knockout. She has won titles in five weight classes and is the only three-division undisputed champion in boxing history.
3. What are Claressa Shields’ major achievements in boxing?
Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has held undisputed titles in the middleweight, light middleweight, and heavyweight divisions. She has also been a unified champion at super middleweight and holds multiple records for becoming a multi-division champion in the fewest fights.
4. Has Claressa Shields competed in mixed martial arts (MMA)?
Yes, Shields debuted in MMA in 2021 under the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She has a record of 2 wins (1 by knockout) and 1 loss. Her transition to MMA showcases her versatility as a combat sports athlete.
5. What inspired Claressa Shields to start boxing?
Shields was introduced to boxing at age 11 by her father, Clarence “Bo” Shields, who was an amateur boxer. Boxing became an outlet for her to overcome personal challenges, including poverty and trauma during her childhood in Flint, Michigan.
6. What is Claressa Shields’ nickname?
Claressa Shields is often called “T-Rex,” a nickname she earned during her youth for her aggressive fighting style and dominance in the ring.
7. What endorsements does Claressa Shields have?
Shields has partnered with brands like Nike, Puma, Monster Energy, and Powerade. She also collaborates with Stage Front VIP to offer exclusive fan experiences during her fights, further expanding her commercial appeal.
8. What role does Flint, Michigan, play in Claressa Shields’ story?
Flint is central to Shields’ identity and resilience. Growing up amidst poverty and the Flint water crisis shaped her “no-quit” attitude. She frequently credits Flint for her toughness and proudly represents her hometown in every fight.
9. What are Claressa Shields’ future goals?
Shields aims to continue defending her titles across multiple weight classes while advocating for equal pay in women’s boxing. She also plans to pursue more MMA fights under the PFL to further cement her legacy across combat sports disciplines.
10. How has Claressa Shields contributed to women’s boxing?
Shields has elevated women’s boxing through her historic achievements and advocacy for gender equality in sports pay. Her success has brought increased visibility to women’s boxing, inspiring future generations of female fighters globally.
