There was a time, once, when Claressa Shields was desperate for Savannah Marshall to win.
More than 10 years ago the two had boxed in the opening stages of the amateur world championships. It was not only the most painful loss of Shields’ boxing career, it remains the only loss of her boxing career.
Just 17-years-old, Shields longed to become an Olympian. This. though. was the only qualification tournament and, after losing early on, for that to happen the American needed the boxer that beat her to win the middleweight final.
So Shields sat in the stands, watched Marshall and prayed.
“God, please give her the strength, give her the power and give her the speed to beat these girls. Take what’s in me and give it to her and make her win,” Shields thought.