Claressa Shields showed once again why she’s the best women’s fighter in the world by dominating Maricela Cornejo in a 10-round unanimous decision win to retain her undisputed middleweight championship.
And while Cornejo was a late replacement for Hanna Gabriels, who tested positive for a banned substance and was removed from the card, it was more about the way Shields dominated Cornejo and how she looked unbeatable.
With the victory, Shields keeps the top spot. All our panelists voted Shields at No. 1, with Chantelle Cameron getting some consideration after her victory over Katie Taylor to keep her junior welterweight undisputed championship.
“Shields was once again dominant — as expected — and she remained No. 1 for me in the latest pound-for-pound rankings,” said boxing writer Michael Rothstein. “But it was a close decision. What Cameron accomplished last month in beating Taylor, and beating her somewhat decisively in Taylor’s homecoming fight in Ireland, was a truly special performance. So Cameron jumped up to No. 2 for me based off what she’s done so far and the massive win over Taylor.
“Shields remains at No. 1 because of her level of skill and her continued tremendous ability as a defensive fighter. She’s shown improvements fight over fight, from sitting on her punches…
