Detroit’s talented, unbeaten Claressa Shields (5-0-2K) seems hell-bent on becoming the female Adrien Broner. Tonight, she won a tough, hard fought battle against the more experienced Hanna Gabriels (18-1-1D-11K). Tonight was a night of ‘firsts’ as the two time Olympian was dropped and cut for the first time as a pro. The knockdown came in the opening round, courtesy of a short right uppercut during an exchange. More shocked and embarrassed in front of her home town, Shields got up and went on to pretty much dominate the rest of the fight. Gabriels had her moments but Claressa as usual, was too big for her opponent. Now training in Florida with new coach John David Jackson, Shields showed poise and confidence and a nice arsenal of punches.

With the great former multi champion Thomas (Hitman) Hearns sitting ringside, Shields handled her business. I’d like to have a dollar for every suit Hearns  has. He looked fit. Shields always talks about becoming the “face of women’s boxing”. Well, if so, she’s gonna’ have to turn down that ghetto-ass attitude of hers. Almost every interview I’ve seen of her, that mouthy attitude surfaces. She seems to relish having that attitude, bragging about being from Flyht, blah, blah. In fact a while back Andre Dirrell’s trainer sucker punched a fighter that had just beat Dirrell. There are a couple of Dirrells that fight, one is about to get his ass kicked by David Benavidez in September. When the punk coach sucker punched that fighter (who should’ve flattened his ass), Shields said, “damn right he did the right thing, I would’ve done that, too”. Go, Ghetto girl. After  she  won  tonight, unanimously, the interviewer said, “Hammer’s here and said…. and before he could finish his comment, (Hammer had just  beaten some 41 year old to earn a fight with Sheilds) the former Olympian and ‘face of women’s boxing went fkn berserk. “where she at, I’ll beat her ass right now”, screeched Shields. Later she charged at Hammer and was seen throwing punches and had to be forcibly restrained, more than once. Now, I’m about promoting fights but Shields was absolutely Ghetto, cursing and going nuts. Even my wife said, “dang, why’s she doin’ all that?

So, Ms. Shields, if you’re planning to be the “ face” of ANYTHING, you need to to do something about that attitude sista’. I’ve seen clips of her talking to the kids, supposedly encouraging them to “be all they can be” and never give up. I wonder if she said anything about conducting yourself as a professional, win, lose or draw.

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