Despite being 759 miles from her hometown of Flint, Michigan, undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields had home-court advantage. Shields was greeted with loud cheers as she entered Buckhead Fight Club on Wednesday.
A packed crowd followed her every move, making it difficult to catch a glimpse of the champion as she signed posters featuring her image and posed for photos with fans who had patiently waited outside the gym before her arrival. One young boy couldn’t contain his excitement, running away with a huge smile after Shields lifted him onto her shoulders.
On Aug. 15, Shields will face unified WBC and WBA heavyweight champion Kaye Scott in the first women’s main event at State Farm Arena. Shields enters the bout with an 18-0 record and is attempting to join Roy Jones Jr. as the only heavyweight champion in the past 120-plus years to win a world title after previously competing in a lower weight class.
Shields’ last five fights have taken place in Michigan, including four at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Although this will be her first fight in Atlanta, she said she is embracing the opportunity…