DETROIT (Dec. 12, 2024) – From Flint to Hollywood and back, the hits keep coming for four-division world champion Claressa Shields.
The reigning WBC and WBO World Champion will defend her unified titles and fight for the vacant WBA Heavyweight World title against undefeated contender Danielle Perkins on Sunday, February 2. The event, aptly dubbed SUPER BRAWL SUNDAY, is promoted by Salita Promotions and will take place at Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich., and air live globally on DAZN, boxing’s leading streaming television provider.
An announcement regarding ticket sales for SUPER BRAWL SUNDAY will be made soon.
Shields, by far the most accomplished female boxer in history, is undefeated at 15-0 with three knockouts. She won the coveted WBC heavyweight green belt (and the vacant WBO Lt Heavyweight belt) in July when she knocked out defending champion Vanessa Lepage Joanisse. Shields is also the current, reigning Unified Middleweight World Champion, a testament to her dominance in women’s boxing as she continues to break barriers and inspire female athletes around the world.
Shields, with an impeccable professional record and a mounting legacy, adds another chapter to her remarkable career that now includes a feature film. Shields is the subject of an upcoming theatrical film chronicling her incredible life story. The highly anticipated biographical drama, titled THE FIRE INSIDE, premieres in theatres on Christmas Day and spans her rise from humble beginnings in Flint to becoming a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist. The film promises to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans, offering an intimate look into Shields’ journey and the challenges she has faced on and off the canvas.
“I feel so blessed at this point in my life and my career,” said Shields. But make no mistake, every blessing came with blood, sweat, and tears behind it. My home in Flint helped make me the person I am today. That city, with all its struggles and strengths, built something in me that can’t be broken. Without Flint and the determination I developed there at a young age, I don’t know if I’d be here today. I can’t wait for this homecoming event. Danielle Perkins is undefeated and a strong contender, but I’ve been fighting my whole life, not just in the ring. Whether it was in my personal life, in the amateur boxing ring, or as a professional world champion, I simply do not fail. February 2nd will be no different.”
“Claressa Shields has been breaking glass ceilings for her whole career,” said Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions. “She was the first American boxer to win two Olympic gold medals. She was the first woman to headline an event on premium television. She is the only two-division Undisputed Women’s World Champion, and she has the chance to make history yet again unifying the women’s heavyweight division on this special Sunday event. Claressa is at the peak of her career and has an incredible film coming out honoring her life, achievements and determination. We could have taken this event anywhere in the world. Claressa wanted to come back to Flint to share her success with her fans and to give the city of Flint the shine it deserves for helping produce an incredible diamond of a world champion.”
Renowned boxing executive Mark Taffet, Shields’ manager, said, “What an incredible period this is in Claressa’s life. From the theatrical release of her biopic on the silver screen on December 25, to the heavyweight championship on the silver canvas on February 2, it is truly a dream come true for her.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs), like her upcoming opponent, is a decorated amateur and a survivor.
Before winning gold at the 2019 IBA Women’s World Championships and defeating the tournament’s top seed in the finals, Perkins saw success outside of boxing. A former collegiate basketball standout at St. John’s University, standing 6-feet tall and 200 pounds, Perkins boasted a successful professional basketball career in Europe. That was until Perkins sustained severe injuries when struck by a car on a busy city street in Brooklyn. While unsure if she would ever walk again, Perkins’ undeniable pursuit for greatness drove her to a full recovery and, ultimately, to the sport of boxing.
Perkins earned the WBC No. 1-ranked, mandatory position with a unanimous-decision win over Christianne Fahey on the undercard of Shields vs. Joanisse in July. Known for her power and technique, she has made a name for herself with an unblemished record and relentless drive to claim a world title.
“I am more than excited to get in ring with one of the best fighters in the world,” said Perkins. “I am looking forward to showcasing my skillset to the world and winning my second, third and fourth title belts in Flint. I won the WBC Silver belt there in 2020 and I coming back to make another statement.”
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?ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
