![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/image001-1-300x88.jpg\")
<\/a>Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields is deep in preparation for her attempt to become a two-division world champion when she faces fellow unified champion Hanna Gabriels at Masonic Temple in Detroit on Friday, June 22.<\/p>\nShields, a unified champion at 168 pounds, and Gabriels, a unified titlist at 154 pounds, will meet for the vacant IBF and WBA Middleweight World Championships on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION at 10 p.m. ET\/PT live on SHOWTIME. <\/p>\n
A native of Flint, Mich., Shields (5-0, 2 KOs) was the first American boxer in history \u2013 male or female \u2013 to win consecutive Olympic Gold Medals. The 23-year-old turned professional following the 2016 Olympics and became unified women\u2019s super middleweight world champion in just her fourth professional fight. Shields now begins her first camp with renowned trainer John David Jackson as she attempts to become a two-division champion.<\/p>\n
SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION will also feature extensive highlights of unified women\u2019s middleweight champion Christina Hammer (22-0, 10 KOs) as she defends her WBC & WBO titles in her U.S. debut against former world champion Tori Nelson (17-1-3, 2 KOs). If both Shields and Hammer are victorious in their 160-pound bouts on June 22, they will meet in a fall blockbuster on SHOWTIME to determine the undisputed women\u2019s middleweight world champion.<\/p>\n
How has training camp been so far?<\/p>\n
\u201cTraining camp has been great. It\u2019s been fun and I\u2019ve been working my butt off. I can\u2019t wait to step in the ring with another champion and make history by winning the world title in my second weight division!\u201d<\/p>\n
What can fans expect from you on June 22?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fans can expect for me to fight like I\u2019m Okoye from Wakanda! I\u2019ve never been more motivated, more ready, and more able to take on the challenges and achieve my goals. I want to fight the best, and I want to be the best ever. I will give everything on June 22 against Hanna Gabriels to win a world title in my second weight division, then I want Christina Hammer, so we can unify all the middleweight belts, and then my sights will be on getting to the 154-pound world title.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are some of your future goals in boxing?<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to lift women\u2019s boxing for all the women past, present and future. I want equality for women and men in boxing. I want to be recognized as one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport among both men and women, no gender labels. And I want to be known as the best female boxer ever. I\u2019m ready. Come to Detroit on June 22 and see me live, watch me on SHOWTIME, and join the team as we make history!\u201d<\/p>\n
What have you learned training with John David Jackson?
\n\u201cCoach John is very knowledgeable, he\u2019s been working with me on my patience. He admires the beast inside of me, but just wants me to control it more and be smart. He\u2019s been to the biggest battles with some great world champions, and I\u2019m glad to have his experience and knowledge on my team.\u201d<\/p>\n
What is your typical day like in camp?
\n\u201cA typical day in camp can go according to either of two plans. Plan 1 is I wake up at 9 am, make myself a small breakfast (2 boiled eggs, 2 pieces of turkey bacon and some steamed asparagus) or a fruit smoothie. At 11 am I\u2019m at the gym training. By 1:30 pm, I\u2019m at the gym. My workout usually consists of bag drills, mitt work, shadow boxing, jumping rope, speed bag and ring drills. Then I either swim or run at 6 pm the same day. On the days I do Plan 2, I still wake at 9 am and have my breakfast and then 11 am-1:30 pm, I\u2019m in the gym. But right after that, I do strength and conditioning, which consists of box jumps, dumb bell squats, some drills with weights for my upper body, or a four-mile run.\u201d<\/p>\n
Have you made any changes to your training and nutrition for your first fight at middleweight?
\n\u201cRight after my fight with Tori Nelson, I knew I would be fighting next at middleweight, so I stayed in the gym three times a week until Mark (Taffet) told me we secured June 22 on SHOWTIME against Hanna Gabriels. But to properly make middleweight, I had to learn about my body some more. Losing weight is more about a routine than it is about eating less food. The good thing for me is that I like healthy food \u2013 my body and mind feel best when I eat that way. The only difference in camp is I eat smaller portions of the food I like and drink a lot more water. This camp I\u2019ve been heavy on fish, all kinds of fish from cod, salmon, Atlantic salmon — with sides of asparagus, sweet potatoes, rice or spinach. And body clock is important, so no eating after 7 pm. I\u2019m feeling great and will be in the best shape of my life when I get in that ring on June 22.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who are your sparring partners?<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far, I\u2019ve sparred with Matt Korobov and Daniyar Yelluisar. I love to spar with men \u2013 I find that the strength and speed helps me get the most out of the sparring.\u201d<\/p>\n
What have you done differently in preparation for this fight?<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I always say this, but I don\u2019t get ready to face my opponents \u2013 my trainer John David Jackson focuses more on the opponent than I do. I just get prepared to be the best version of me. I\u2019ve seen film of Hannah and I\u2019m not impressed \u2013 I know she\u2019s a champion and I respect that, but I\u2019ve never seen a woman who can stay in the ring with me. It\u2019ll take two of her to even have a chance at beating me.\u201d<\/p>\n