(SEPT 25) MIAMI BEACH
- Undisputed Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields
participated in a media workout in Miami on Tuesday in
preparation for her upcoming showdown with Ivana Habazin next
Saturday, October 5 live on SHOWTIME from Dort Federal Credit
Union Event Center in Flint, Michigan.
Shields will look to become the
fastest fighter in history, male or female, to win world titles
in three divisions when she faces Habazin for the WBO Junior
Middleweight World Title in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING:
SPECIAL EDITION in her hometown of Flint.
Also participating in Tuesday's
workout was IBO Super Welterweight Champion Hannah Rankin, who
competes in a non-televised undercard attraction next Saturday.
In the televised co-feature on
October 5, undefeated welterweight sensation Jaron Ennis will
return to national television against once-beaten Demian Daniel
Fernandez in a 10-round bout. In the SHOWTIME opener, undefeated
heavyweight prospect Jermaine Franklin will face once-beaten
Pavel Sour less than an hour from his hometown of Saginaw, Mich.
Here's what the fighters had to
say on Tuesday from the famed 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach:
CLARESSA SHIELDS, Undisputed Middleweight World Champion
"I love boxing and I love that I'm one of the women who is
carrying the sport, making it bigger and more well known. We're
getting more respect.
"There are fighters out there who believe that they can beat me
and that really motivates me. That's why I train and put in the
time that I do.
"I want to show everybody that I'm a truly great fighter. I can
beat Vasiliy Lomachenko's record of winning titles in three
divisions in 10 fights instead of 12. Plus, I'm going backwards,
not going up in weight, where there are better challenges for
me.
"My performances will lead to bigger fights and bigger purses
for me and my opponents. I'm just going to keep building my name
and building my brand.
"With this fight against Habazin, I'm definitely going in
looking for the knockout. If I get it in spectacular fashion,
that will go viral and help push my career forward.
"It means everything to have this fight back in my hometown. I
want to be the good news for Flint and make people smile. I'm
happy to be bringing a fight back home while I'm still on top. I
feel like Flint will be uplifted by that.
"Everyone back home is really excited for this event. It's going
to be a huge homecoming for me on October 5.
"Muhammad Ali has trained here at 5th Street Gym and every time
I train here I feel like I'm in his presence. It makes me want
to be even greater. He's the GOAT and I'm going to be the GWOAT.
"Being here in Florida is great for the weight cut. I've been
down here for nine weeks and it's hot every day. I'm sweating
and working hard and the pounds are just coming off."
HANNAH RANKIN, IBO Super
Welterweight Champion
"It's fantastic to be in Florida training for this fight.
Everything has been perfect and I'm feeling great.
"I'm really looking forward to October 5. Me and my opponent are
going to put on a great show for fans for six rounds or as long
as it lasts. I want to show them what women's boxing is about.
"There are lots of exciting things in the cards for me after
this fight. I'm ready to take on the top fighters and pursue
world titles at 154-pounds. I can't wait to show everyone what I
can do."