Claressa Shields became the first undisputed world champion in three weight classes by beating Danielle Perkins for the women’s heavyweight title in Michigan.
The 29-year-old won by unanimous decision, dominating fellow American Perkins throughout and knocking her down with a powerful right hand with seconds left in the 10th and final round.
In her home town of Flint, Shields retained her WBC and WBF belts and won the newly created WBA and IBF titles.
She is also undisputed world champion at middleweight and light-middleweight.
“It feels unbelievable,” said Shields, who improved her record to 16-0.
“I had a really hard training camp. And just last Friday I tore my labrum in my left shoulder, so I wasn’t able to use my good jab today.
“But I didn’t want to call the fight off because I had asked God to give me a big fight in my hometown. He did that. So I decided to keep going through with it.
“I feel so happy. And shout out to my opponent, Danielle Perkins. Man, that girl was strong as hell.”
The most recent undisputed heavyweight champion from the US was Riddick Bowe in 1992, although that was the three-belt era.
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