Claressa Shields didn’t get knocked out but she still dominated.
The undisputed 160-pound champion beat late substitute Maricela Cornejo with a knockout decision to retain her title in front of her home area fans on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The official scores are 100-89, 100-90 and 100-90. Boxing Junkie also had a score of 100-90, 10 rounds did not lose.
.@Claressashields EXTREMELY and try to finish the program
Clock #ShieldsCornejo Live on https://t.co/FoiaUucafv 😤 pic.twitter.com/sleRlMQZXR
– DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 4, 2023
Shields (14-0, 2 KOs) worked in training camp to achieve the only thing missing from her career, which was the knockouts.
She clearly tried to score a goal against Cornejo (16-6, 6 KOs) right from the opening bell, dropped a bomb and after a single bomb trying to hurt him passed through the opponent.
And many of them landed on the challenger’s head. The problem for Shields is that Cornejo has a nice chin and is smart enough to last for 10 minutes and two minutes by holding, using his legs, whatever it takes.
Cornejo didn’t run the whole fight. She really landed some beautiful photos here and there. However, she spent most of her energy trying to keep her head attached to her body.
Shield is especially effective when she backs up to some extent and relies more on her boxing skills than big punches. However, that was not enough to stop Cornejo.
The #1 female boxer in the weight class then looked a bit disappointed but pleased with another overwhelming victory.
She then said in the ring afterwards: “I won every round like I knew I could. “I pressed for the knockout. …Maricela was difficult. And she has a good right hand. She was very smart and strong when I started hitting her.
“She knows how to survive. So she did a great job.”
What’s next?
The two fighters Shields defeated — undisputed 168-pound champions Franchon Crews Dezurn and Savannah Marshall — will meet on July 1 in Manchester, England.
Shields said she plans to go into the battle, the idea being that she can face the winner. However, she made it clear: The fight will not take place in England
“I’m only interested in fighting the best,” she said. “I will watch that match. I think I’ll go to the UK and show my face. … Whoever wins, if they want to come here, I’ll gladly.”
