.@Claressashields
is the No. 1 women’s boxer in the world and about to make
her MMA debut, but the 2-time Olympic gold medalist says sexism is
still a major issue within sport: “It’s mind-boggling to me … I
want us to have equal pay, equal opportunity.” @michaelstrahan
pic.twitter.com/cZOWoA2Ogu— Good Morning America (@GMA)
April 13, 2021
Boxing champion Claressa
Shields will make her first MMA foray at a Professional
Fighters League event on June 10.
The date for Shields debut was annoounced during an interview on
“Good Morning America.” An opponent for Shields’ bout was not
revealed. The PFL card takes place at Ocean Casino Resort in
Atlantic City, N.J.
Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist boxer and the reigning
WBC and WBO light middleweight champion. She improved her
professional mark to 11-0 with a unanimious decision victory over
Marie Eve Dicaire on March 5, claiming the vacant IBF and WBA
titles in the process. Shields vs. Dicaire was an all-female
pay-per-view, the first of its kind in boxing since June 8,
2001.
Shields
signed with the PFL last year, with designs on competing in MMA
while continuing her boxing career. During the 2021 campaign,
Shields will take one-off fights rather than participate in the
organization’s season format. She previously enjoyed a training
relationship with Bellator featherweight queen Cristiane
Justino but more recently has been working at with the likes of
Holly
Holm and Jon Jones at
Jackson-Wink MMA.
PFL begins its 2021 season on April 23. The June 10 lineup will
feature lightweight and featherweight athletes in addition to
Shields’ bout.