By Jake Chaney,
Claressa Shields dubs herself “The GWOAT” (Greatest Woman Of All-time). After just 10 fights, her critics may say this is premature, but the double Olympic gold medalist is many people’s P4P #1, and she is the reigning Middleweight (Lineal) World Champion. Undefeated, and having also recently won two ABC belts at 154lbs, right now Shields has superb credentials - she is at the very least, deserving of being in the discussion, with names like Ann Wolfe, Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali and Christy Martin, when assessing the greatest female boxers of all-time.
If Claressa was to add the fighters listed below, to her already impressive resume, and remain unbeaten, she would be far more than just another multiple weight belt holder - she would have defeated the #1 fighters in 4 divisions. A 4 division Lineal Champion, potentially holding all 4 Championships simultaneously. Such an unprecedented feat would elevate her all-time standing to the top of the mountain, head and shoulders above all rivals.
1.Marie Eve Dicaire - Junior Middleweight
Shields recently defeated solid contender Ivana Habazin in her debut at 154lbs. It was a dominant victory, and gained Claressa two ABC belts, but in truth, Ivana was not a top 3 rated Junior Middleweight, not even top 5. The #1 in the division is undefeated Canadian, Marie Eve-Dicaire, 17-0, who has beaten quality fighters: Chris Ramus, Mikaela Lauren and Maria Lindberg. With Shields now at 154lbs, a fight with Dicaire would be a #1 Vs #2 match-up and determine who the true champion of the division is.
2.Layla McCarter or Cecilia Braekhus - Junior Middleweight
After defeating Christina Hammer in April 2019, Shields called out the highly decorated Cecilia Braekhus, declaring that she would happily drop down in weight for the bout. Claressa has now fought at 154lbs, but there appears little interest from Team Braekhus in making the fight.
In female boxing circles it is well known that Cecilia’s biggest threat at 147lbs is American, Layla McCarter. Layla stated that she was made the IBF mandatory for Braekhus nearly 3 years ago, and she has been the WBA No.1 contender for over 2 years. McCarter has expressed a desire to make the fight multiple times, but Braekhus/McCarter is still no closer to being made.
If Shields can’t get Braekhus in the ring, she would receive immense respect from hardcore fight fans for taking on McCarter. Layla, although 40 years old, is considered P4P top 10 by many, and has not lost for over 10 years.
3.Alejandra Jimenez - Super Middleweight
Mexican, Jimenez, is the clear #1 at 168lbs. Her victory over Crews was a fight between the best at the weight class, and made her the true, Lineal World Champion in our book. At 5’11”, the unbeaten, hard hitting former Heavyweight No.1 would represent a tough, physical challenge for Shields.
4.Geovana Peres - Heavyweight
With Light Heavyweight not yet being widely recognised as a legitimate weight class, we consider (as does BoxRec) any female fighter above 168lbs to be a Heavyweight. Therefore when the world’s two best 168 + pounders - Claire Hafner and Geovana Peres - fought in October 2019, it meant the winner, Geovana Peres, became the Women’s Lineal Heavyweight World Champion. Peres, a New Zealand based Brazilian, has previously expressed that she would love to fight Shields.
