WATCH: WBO Undisputed Clash – Episode One Of All Access: Shields Vs. Hammer
SHOWTIME Sports released the first installment of ALL ACCESS: SHIELDS vs. HAMMER on YouTube and Facebook as the undefeated middleweight world champions prepare for arguably the most significant women’s boxing event in history. Episode two will be available across SHOWTIME Sports social media platforms next Friday, April 5.
The two-part installment of the Sports Emmy Award-winning series will chronicle the path toward the April 13 showdown for the undisputed middleweight world championship live on SHOWTIME from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Episode one sets the stage for this monumental event as Shields and Hammer usher in a new era for women’s boxing. From the kickoff press conference in New York to training camps in separate countries, ALL ACCESS highlights the clash of styles both in and out of the ring as the pound-for-pound greats prepare to make history.
The second installment will chronicle two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shields at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and long-reigning German champion Hammer in the town of Seefeld in the Austrian Alps, as they train for a showdown that will crown only the second undisputed champion in female boxing history.
It all leads to the blockbuster unification in the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION (9 p.m. ET/PT) as Shields and Hammer look to join an elite list of fighters – Terrence Crawford, Jermain Taylor, Bernard Hopkins, Oleksandr Usyk and Cecilia Braekhus – as only the sixth champion in boxing history to unify all four major world titles.
WBC, IBF and WBA Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields arrived in Miami yesterday to hold the final portion of her training camp at the Fifth Street Gym as she prepares to take on WBO Middleweight World Champion Christina Hammer in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader Saturday, April 13 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Shields spent the last five weeks training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., following a two-week pre-camp in her hometown of Flint, Mich.
“We’ve been going twice a day every day except Sunday for five-straight weeks,” said Shields. “We put in lots of rounds sparring, tons of sprinting, pad work, push-ups, crunches and drills to help with my head movement.
“I’ve put my body through so much on this camp, and now it’s time to start cutting it down a bit. I’m in great shape and my weight is on point. I’m also in a great place mentally and very happy with this camp overall.”
In Florida, Shields is looking to prime herself for her showdown for the undisputed middleweight women’s world championship, in what is considered by many as the biggest fight in women’s boxing history.
“My main focus now is trying to relieve my body while keeping my conditioning,” said Shields. “I’m making sure that I go into fight week with no injuries or soreness. I’ve been in Colorado for over a month and it was time for some new scenery.
“I’m still going to be training very hard in Florida. I just need a little more sunshine and the additional space that’s provided for me down here. We did what we had to do in Colorado. Florida is just an ideal environment all-around and a happy place for me to be these last couple weeks.”
As Shields and trainer John David Jackson near fight night, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist has a message for her fellow unbeaten opponent. “I know what I can and will do on April 13,” said Shields. “I already told Christina I’m going to beat her and mess her up. I’m taking this fight 100 percent seriously. I’m going to go out there and dominate her.
“I don’t want these belts handed to me. I’m coming to win every round on April 13. I’m a different kind of animal and Christina is going to see that on fight night. I’m ready. That’s it.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are priced at $150, $100, $55 and $35 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and at boardwalkhall.com.