The wait goes on for when boxing will return, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause mass cancellations of events around the world. This has not only led to cancellations of events, but many areas of the world now stuck in lockdown. However, this is now starting to change, as improvements are being made and economies are opening.

This is going to lead to a return of sport, with the UFC and football set to become some of the first sports returning. That will hopefully pave the way for a world-wide boxing return, with the US scheduled to again host the biggest events in the calendar year. These usually taking place in Las Vegas or New York and of course Madison Square Gardens.

When it comes to the overall boxing scene and Women’s boxing has seen a major growth in recent years and this is set to continue moving forward. There have now been a number of the leading fighters included on some of the biggest cards in boxing, with a number of fighters taking the sport to the next level. Two of these being Claressa Shields and Katie Taylor.

At just 25 years of age, it is remarkable as to how much Claressa Shields has already achieved in her career. She fights out of Michigan and has already established a professional record of 10 wins and remains undefeated since turning professional. Major things were expected of her when she turned a professional, as she had already picked up five major Gold medals in the amateur ranks. That run started by her winning Gold at the 2012 Olympic games in London, in the Middleweight division. This saw her beat Russia boxer Nadezda Torlopova in the final, 19-12.

Four years on and she defended her title at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This was a remarkable achievement and it was the first time any American boxer (male or female) had achieved this. Within this period she also won consecutive Golds at the World championships in 2014 and 2016 and picked up a Gold in the light heavyweight division at 2015 Pan American games in Toronto.

This gives an example of just how impressive an amateur she was, which is why there is little surprise she has been so dominant as a professional. Her 10-0 record, has seen her already pick up numerous world titles in three different weight classes and she also remains the undisputed middleweight champion at present. Shields is now many people’s idea as the number one pound for pound Women’s boxer in the sport and is helping take Women’s boxing to that next level. There are even now rumours she could move over to MMA to challenge UFC champion Amanda Nunes, which would set up for a huge PPV fight if it materialises.

Shields has a hugely impressive CV, which has seen her beat the likes of Hannah Rankin, Femke Hermans, Ivana Habazin and of course Christina Hammer. This all in the space of just 10 professional fights and this is why she remains the number one in the sport. The victory over Hammer was one of the biggest fights in Women’s boxing history, which saw Shields heavily supported with punters in the event, especially in the US.

Photo credit:  Stephanie Trapp Fotos/Showtime

Katie Taylor is another fighter who continues to help grow the sport and also entered the professional ranks, with a breath-taking amateur background and now has one of the best CV’s in the game, with a professional record of 15 wins without loss. At 33 years of age, she has already achieved so much in sport, having moved to boxing, following a previous career as a footballer. Taylor is now a two-weight world champion and currently stands as the undisputed lightweight champion, with her first title coming back in 2017.

In 2019, she also defeated Delfine Persoon, which meant she became the seventh boxer (male or female) to hold all major titles. This also meant she joined Shields in achieving this feat, which further backs up the notion of both fighters success.

Photo Credit:  Womenboxing.com

Taylor also entered the professional ranks, following an incredible amateur career, that saw her win 18 Golds. This included a Gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in the lightweight division. On top of this she won Gold at the European games in Baku in 2015, and has won five Golds at the EU championships between 2008 and 2013. Throughout a nine year period, Taylor has won six Golds at the European championships in the lightweight division. She also won five Golds at the World championships, with her most recent coming in 2014, before turning professional. She clearly had helped push Women’s boxing forward and is likely to continue to do so in the coming years.