After Claressa Shields unanimous decision over Tori Nelson, she declared herself the greatest women’s boxer ever. The 22-year-old Michigan native holds won Olympic gold twice and as a professional has a record of 5-0 with 2 knockouts and currently holds the WBC and IBF 160 pounds titles. She has accomplished a lot at such a young age but many fans and in the boxing world do not totally agree with her being the greatest of all times.
Canada’s Jelena Mrdjenovich has fought some of the best names in the business and is an eight-time world champion. She has fought for fifteen years as a professional and worked her way to where she is without any major pushes from U.S. TV networks or promoters. Mrdjenovich feels that Shields still has a lot to prove and her GOAT statement is an overstatement at the moment.
“As for Claressa,” Mrjenovich told Tha Boxing Voice, “she is good obviously, but best ever… that is a slight overstatement… she still has a lot more to prove/ do before she can make that statement. Perhaps that statement is a little premature.”
Jackie Nava is one of Mexico’s most known women boxers who made history by becoming the first woman to win a WBC title. Her fights with Ana Maria Torres are amongst the best in women’s boxing history. Nava feels that there is a lack of competition for Shields to back that claim up.
“I do not think [that Shields is the best],” Nava told Tha Boxing Voice. “She is very good but in her division there are not many boxers that are technically sound and for the same reason that she excels fast but I repeat it has to be against quality [opposition] not to take anything away from her accomplishments.”
Amanda Serrano, on the other hand, believes it’s only a matter of time before Shields words are actually a reality. Serrano has fought for twelve years and is the first woman and first Puerto Rican to ever hold titles in five different divisions.
“I believe she will be [the greatest],”Serrano told Tha Boxing Voice. “She has better credentials and abilities than any other. Soon enough the title will be fitting. People trip because she has only 5 fights but I don’t see why not. Laila Ali & Christy Martin had limited skills & are being considered.”
Mariana Juarez is hands down Mexico’s most famous female boxer. She has fought many of the best names available, won numerous titles and posed nude for Playboy Mexico. Juarez says Shields is good but not the best of all time.
