Claressa Shields Dropped 38 Pounds And Picked Up Middleweight Titles In TKO Win

Claressa Shields reclaimed two middleweight world titles with a sixth-round stoppage of Kaye Scott on Aug. 15, completing a dramatic move down from heavyweight while keeping her undefeated professional record intact, ESPN reports. Shields defeated Scott at State Farm Arena in Atlanta to capture the WBA and WBC middleweight championships. The 31-year-old improved to 19-0 with four knockouts, while Scott, a 42-year-old Australian, fell to 5-2-1. Shields controlled the fight with her hand speed, accuracy and body attack before increasing the pressure in the later rounds. In the sixth, Shields connected with a left hook that sent Scott backward into the ropes, prompting a count. After the action resumed, Shields attacked again with a series of punches as Scott struggled to respond. Scott’s corner threw in the towel, ending the fight and giving Shields her second stoppage victory in nine years. The win marked Shields’ return to the 160-pound division for the first time since she defeated Maricela Cornejo by unanimous decision in June 2023. Getting back to middleweight required a significant physical transformation. Shields said she dropped 38 pounds during a 14-week training camp after competing at heavyweight, where she became undisputed champion. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bleacher Report (@bleacherreport) Shields previously became undisputed champion at middleweight before moving up in weight. She has now won world championships across five weight …