After a dominant 2018, Claressa Shields is rewarded with the BWAA Female Fighter of the Year Award

At only 23, Claressa Shields has already accomplished a lot in her short career. In 2018 alone, she won four fights and three worlds titles in the middleweight division. Her path to superstardom in 2019 is in reach.

That is why there was no other choice for the Boxing Writers Association of America to give her the 2018 Christy Martin Award for Female Fighter of the Year. The award honors the trailblazing Martin, who ended her career with 49 wins.

“I am thrilled and honored to receive the Fighter of the Year award from the Boxing Writers Association of America,” Shields stated. “It is a dream come true, and it furthers my goal to lift women’s boxing to new levels.”

https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1074762069151485952

The Female Fighter of the Year award was made last year due to the high number of female fighters dominating the boxing game. Shields (8-0) is the latest of deserving fighters who is bringing women’s into the spotlight. The two-time Olympic gold medalist started 2018 by defeating Tori Nelson in January before winning the WBA and IBF Middleweight Titles against Hanna Gabriel back in June. From there, it was smooth sailing.

Shields ended up finishing off Hannah Rankin with ease in November, winning the WBC Middleweight Title. She ended her year just a few weeks ago, shutting down Femke Hermans. All four of those fights went ten rounds.

While she is just finding her power, Claressa Shields has become a true force to be reckoned with. She wants to be the best, and the award signifies all of her hard work. Scheduled to face Christina Hammer sometime in 2019, Shields can own the middleweight division and beyond if she chooses to. Her 2019 goals are not far off to accomplish, especially if she keeps up the pace.