A rare Sunday-evening card topped this weekend’s boxing bill; with Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields making history as the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight champion.
‘T-Rex’ secured her latest championship belt via a dominant unanimous decision; although the headlines this morning are dominated by the wilder moments that came before her title victory.
Not only did a spear tackle send two boxers through the ropes and onto a table, but there was also a cameraman falling from ringside, and even a rare knockdown landed for/by a referee.
A wild, wild night of action from Claressa Shields boxing event
Whilst Claressa Shields’ UD win over Danielle Perkins was the cherry on top of this Flint, Michigan cake, there were some truly wild scenes on of the undercard.
During round three of the heavyweight bout between 14-1 Brandon Moore and 8-0-2 Skylar Lacy, the two fighters collided with each other and leaned backward into the corner.
Unfortunately, the two gigantic fighters craned over the ropes just in front of a DAZN Boxing cameraman, who was sent tumbling several feet onto the floor below.
“Oh my god, the cameraman just got eliminated,” laughed the broadcast booth.
“Man, shoutout to that DAZN cameraman who’s back on his feet,” with the Michigan audience applauding him getting back on the apron: “And the crowd appreciates the effort – that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a cameraman knocked down like that.”
Chaos would resume several rounds later as deep into the eighth; Lacy attempted to grab a hold of Moore, the two were sent flying through the ropes and onto a table just next to the ring.
As the two men lay on a now-broken table, the referee began counting both out – and somehow got up to the count of 15 seconds before waving off the bout.
Claressa Shields makes history as first-ever female heavyweight champion
There was yet more controversy in the main event of the evening between Claressa Shields and Danielle Perkins.
As the third round came to an end, Shields landed some powerful shots to wobble her opponent but when the referee attempted to separate them; accidentally shoved Perkins to the ground.
Replays showed that Perkins had tripped over her own feet, although it did appear as though the referee was well aware of his part in the fall, helping Perkins back to her feet and apologizing profusely.
Shields was in charge of the entire fight from there on in, and as the bout entered its final 20 seconds; ‘T-Rex’ solidified victory with a stunning counter-right knockdown in the tenth.
When the final horn sounded, every single fan in the arena knew the victory was long secured, with Shields ultimately walking away with a 100-89, 97-92, and 99-90 points spread.
Given that Shields is also signed to the PFL (MMA) promotion, there is speculation that ‘T-Rex’ could soon rematch boxing rival Savannah Marshall in the cage, as opposed to the ring.