T-Rex Attack: Claressa Shields dominates Maricela Cornejo, holds undisputed middleweight title

By: Sean Crose

Undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields took the crown Saturday night when she fought Maricela Cornejo in Detroit, near her hometown of Flint, Michgain. The match is the main event of a game streamed live on DAZN. The 13-0 Shields score was clearly the favourite, but 16-5 Cornejo showed confidence as the scheduled 10th-half bell rang.

Shield starts fast, shoots fast from the start. Cornejo, on the other hand, has worked. However, it’s clear that Shields might want to make a quick night out. Shields landed hard in the second round, causing Cornejo’s face to begin to bruise. Indeed, Shields continued to head well throughout the half. Shields continued to fight masterfully in the third round.

The fourth inning saw Cornejo fight aggressively while Shields remained confident and showed a bit. It was completely clear in the fifth round that Shields was too strong, too skilled, and frankly, too good for Cornejo. Even Cornejo’s powerful shots couldn’t get past the Shield’s underrated defence. The defending champions were knocked out in the sixth round, really wanting to end the night. Cornejo managed to survive, but not much else left.

If anything, the seventh suggested brutal beatings. It’s time for Cornejo’s corner to consider stopping the fight. The eighth inning saw the Shields continue to dominate. Shield’s slowed down in the ninth round, but still showed no signs of fatigue. The tenth and final rounds are one-way as the previous nine rounds. It’s purely for Cornjeo, thanks to Shields looking probably the best she’s ever had.

A quick question: If Shields isn’t Greatest of all time (GOAT), as she claims, then who in women’s boxing, past or present, is who?