(NOV 19) As most boxing folks saw
last night, women's boxing got a big shot in the arm when two
top female amateur boxers made their pro debuts last night at
the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In this exciting four-rounder,
with this being the FIRST FEMALE Olympian to turn pro in this
sport, who also made her footprint in the sport when she fought
in the history-first 2012 Olympics that after years and years of
struggle included female amateur boxers won gold----and then
again competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio winning gold.
In this pro debut, Shields, 167, won the bout by a four-round
unanimous decision over Franchon Crews, 168. Final judges scores
were 40-36 on all cards.
But with that said, this history
could not have taken place if it were not for the struggles and
sacrifices of all the pioneer boxers---both amateurs and pros
who paved the road to what happened last night. I am sure
that the current boxers of today appreciate the sacrifices of
those past female boxers.
In the Las Vegas
Review Journal, boxing writer Ed Graney wrote, "Truth is that
promoters failed badly in not putting the professional debut of
two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields on the PPV
portion of the event. Shields won a unanimous four-round
decision against Franchon Crews in a fight that saw more action
than most of those that followed for anyone willing to pay the
$60 to watch."
Sports writer of
USA Today wrote, "The 21-year-old Shields fought in front
of a sparse crowd at T-Mobile Arena hours before the
much-anticipated Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward pay-per-view telecast
kicked off, but she received a roar of applause when the final
bell tolled. She impressed with speed and power, and seemed well
beyond her 21 years. Her fight also was seen by fans as part of
the freeview.”
On the Forbes.com
website they reported that Claressa Shields made $50,000 for her
purse.
More excitement to come in the sport when Gold Medal Olympian
Katie Taylor, Nicola Adams and others are set to turn pro soon!
More photos:
A very special
"Thank you" to Las Vegas photographer Mary Ann Owen who covered
this fight! Great photos...
