On January 12, 2018, SHOWTIME's popular boxing franchise, ShoBox: The New Generation presented a highly anticipated showdown between two of the best female fighters in the world, as Claressa Shields took on Tori Nelson in the main event of the evening. The event was held at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and marked the first time that two Olympic gold medalists had faced each other in a professional boxing match. Shields, who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, was undefeated in her professional career with a record of 4-0 and 2 knockouts, while Nelson, a 41-year-old mother of two, had a record of 17-0-3 with 2 knockouts.
The fight was for the vacant IBF and WBC female super middleweight titles and was scheduled for 10 rounds. The atmosphere was electric as the two fighters made their way to the ring, with Shields, who was fighting in her home state of Michigan for the first time as a professional, receiving a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
From the opening bell, the fight was a battle of wills, with both fighters looking to establish their dominance early on. Shields came out aggressively, throwing a series of jabs and combinations and landing some significant blows to Nelson's head and body. But Nelson, a crafty veteran who had never been knocked down in her career, showed why she was such a tough opponent, absorbing Shields' punches and countering with some shots of her own.
As the fight wore on, the two fighters settled into a pattern, with Shields continuing to press the action and Nelson trying to counterpunch and move around the ring. Shields continued to land some heavy blows, but Nelson's defense was solid, and she managed to avoid some of Shields' more devastating punches.
In the later rounds of the fight, Shields began to pull ahead, landing some clean shots to Nelson's head and body and showcasing her superior stamina and athleticism. She also showed off her defensive skills, avoiding some of Nelson's counterpunches and slipping away from her opponent's attacks.
As the final bell sounded, both fighters raised their hands in victory, but it was Shields who emerged as the clear winner on the judges' scorecards, winning by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 100-90, 100-90, and 100-90 in favor of Shields, who became the unified IBF and WBC female super middleweight champion.
The fight was a true showcase of the skills and abilities of both fighters, with Shields demonstrating her power and athleticism and Nelson showing off her toughness and durability. It was also an important milestone in the history of women's boxing, as two of the sport's biggest stars squared off in a high-profile bout that attracted attention from boxing fans all over the world.
Overall, ShoBox: The New Generation: Shields vs. Nelson was a thrilling and unforgettable night of boxing, featuring two of the best female fighters in the world and a packed crowd of enthusiastic fans. It was a true testament to the power and excitement of the sport, and a great example of what makes ShoBox such a popular and beloved franchise among boxing fans.