Shields vs Gabriels – The ladies of boxing step into the forefront this Saturday on Showtime as two world title fights in the middleweight division are set to air.
The main event sees former women’s WBA world middleweight champion Hanna Gabriels (18-1-1) head to Michigan to face American Claressa Shields (5-0). Shields, 23 years old, is the 2x Olympic Gold Medalist who is looking to become the face of women’s boxing in the pro ranks. Since turning pro in November of 2016 after the Rio Olympic games, she has been getting solid support. getting a deal that has her fighting on Showtime is part of that.
Gabriels is an experienced world champion in her own right. Like most of the high level women throughout the world, she has been waiting for a decent payday and this opportunity will mark her debut in the United States. She has gone 5-0 since February of 2013 when she lost to Oxandia Castillo for the only “L” of her career and in her last fight in October of 2017, she avenged her loss to Castillo with a unanimous decision win. Gabriels is a good athlete who has a background in track and field as a youngster, so at the end of the day Shields and her amateur background more than even up the experience factor.
The bout sees the vacant IBF and WBA world belts on the line, meaning all four of the recognized “major” world titles will be at risk come Saturday night. Check your local listings for start times on Showtime.
The second fight of the double header puts Showtime’s commitment to the women on further display as the co-feature sees Tori Nelson facing Christina Hammer with the WBC and WBO world middleweight titles on the line.
Showtime is trying to set up a fight between Shields and Hammer, and they deserve credit in bringing Hammer to the United States for a showcase fight. Hammer is 22-0 in her career and she has been a world champion since February of 2011 when she defeated Diana Kiss to grab the vacant WBO world belt at 160 lbs. That makes Hammer 14-0 in world title fights. Hammer has never fought in the United States, so they are givingher a chance to shine against Nelson. Though she has been a world titlist for ore than half a decade, Hammer is still just 27 years old.
For her part, Nelson has a fine 17-1-3 record, with the lone loss coming to Shields this past January. Nelson is a tough pro, but at 41 years old, she cannot be called “The future of women’s boxing.” The fight has the practical purpose of giving Hammer and Shields a common opponent in Nelson.
Some boxing experts are calling Nelson a live underdog despite the 14 year difference in age. Hammer is more of a technical boxer who counts on style to win fights and Nelson has the potential to fight a rough fight. You have to ask yourself what are the judges going to see in this one? The scoring is often whacky on the men’s side, so you have to wonder what they are going to think come Friday?
Shields vs Gabriels
Fri 6/22 – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michigan – Showtime
Middleweight 10 rounds –
Hanna Gabriels +2000
Claressa Shields -4000
Middleweight 10 rounds –
Tori Nelson +1500
Christina Hammer -3000
Shields vs Gabriels / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science.
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