Claressa Shields 'stands among' elite champions like Oleksandr Usyk ahead of her heavyweight unification bid, promoter Dmitriy Salita says.
The American star has already been crowned world champion in five weight divisions and can match the achievements of Oleksandr Usyk when he bids to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion next month.
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury last May to secure all the major belts in the top division and defended three of them in a rematch victory against his British rival last month, while Shields takes on Danielle Perkins for the WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO titles to Michigan on February 2nd.
“Boxing is an individual sport, which makes it an incredible challenge to compare the unique and remarkable achievements of these two great fighters,” said Dmitriy Salita, who promotes Shields. Sky Sports.
“What sets Claressa apart from everyone else in boxing – past or present – is her ground-breaking achievements as a pioneer in women's sport.
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Watch highlights from Oleksandr Usyk's press conference where he talks about his win over Tyson Fury, facing Daniel Dubois and wanting to take a break from boxing
“She was the first to accomplish many feats, breaking barriers and opening doors for equality while remaining completely dominant in the ring.”
Both Usyk and Shields have previously excelled in the amateur ranks, with the Ukrainian winning gold at the 2012 Olympics and Shields also winning gold in London and Rio four years later.
The 29-year-old avenged the only defeat on her record, a World Amateur Championship loss to Savannah Marshall, with a unanimous decision to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion in front of a huge television audience and a packed crowd at The O2.
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Watch the epic highlights between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall in the fight of the year!
“Claressa is undoubtedly an all-time great, not only because of her unparalleled list of accomplishments, but also because of her unwavering conviction and determination,” Salita said.
“Growing up as a young girl in Flint, Michigan, one of the most challenging environments in the United States, she had the resilience to rise above her circumstances and prove that neither her environment nor her gender could define her limits.
“For these reasons, Claressa is a generational talent and ranks among the greatest of all time in the world of sports.”
Shields can extend her 15-match unbeaten streak against Perkins, who is unbeaten in five fights.
Could Shields return to Britain for the Price showdown?
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Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast, Lauren Price discusses what fights she wants next after becoming the unified light heavyweight champion in May
Lauren Price, the WBA featherweight champion, has admitted she would welcome a fight against Shields at the Principality Stadium in front of her home support in Wales.
“It's hard to put anything past the Olympic champions. She won the 2021 Olympics,” said Shields, who fought one division up at super-welterweight. Sky Sports last year.
“I feel like when you've been all over the world, boxing and winning world championships, you're kind of destined to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”
But Price must first defeat Natasha Jonas in their world title unification fight at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7.
Watch Jonas vs Price on March 7, live on Sky Sports.