Claressa Shields becomes first American to retain Olympic boxing title

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Middleweight Claressa Shields defeated Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands on Sunday, August 21 in Rio to become the first American boxer to retain her Olympic title.

The 21-year-old adds to the gold she won at London 2012, with China’s Li Qian and Dariga Shakimova of Kazakhstan taking home bronze each.

Shields paraded round the ring afterwards screaming with an American flag fluttering behind her.

Shields, who has never looked in trouble at any point in Brazil, stalked her unfancied opponent in the first round, swinging wildly but missing on a couple of occasions until she made contact with a heavy right near the end of the round.

The Dutchwoman, 28, had most of the crowd in the 9,000-seat arena on her side – it is a case of supporting anyone but an American or an Argentine for many Brazilians in Rio – and they roared their approval when Fontijn enjoyed some success in the second.

She landed several times on Shields, but the American was starting to turn the screw and came out with real intent at the start of the third round.

The American was building a lead and had her hands down in a sign the confidence was flowing through her, as the pair went at one another at the end of the round with a flurry of wild punches.

Shields only had to avoid trouble in the fourth and final round – and did that comfortably to retain her title. – Rappler.com