On Wednesday (July 29), boxing champion Claressa “T-Rex” Shields pulled up to Atlanta’s Buckhead Fight Club with her man, rapper Papoose, and fellow boxer Ernesto “Tito” Mercado. Shields and Mercado hosted a public meet-and-greet with fans and media ahead of their big co-headlining fight on August 15.
The undisputed heavyweight champion and boxing GWOAT will fight unified WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott in the first women’s headline fight at State Farm Arena. Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. is the only heavyweight champion in the last 120-plus years to successful win a world championship in a lower weight class — and Shields is attempting to challenge that achievement.
During the co-main event, Mercado, an undefeated 140-pound rising boxer and knockout artist, will face Emmanuel Tagoe. It will mark his first fight after signing a long-term partnership with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records.
As they hosted the meet-and-great event, Shields and Mercado took photos with fans and signed posters, merchandise, and more items presented by their supporters. The two then took questions from the media before Shields got in the ring with the Atlanta Hawks’ mascot, Harry The Hawk, and knocked him out.
Claressa Shields Talks Online Negativity, Representing Women In Boxing, And Advice For Younger Generation
While speaking with media, Shields spoke on her being a big representation for women in the boxing world as a whole and her taking the women’s sector by storm.
After a reporter considered Shields “underestimated,” the boxing champ rejected the label. She continued to highlight how people choose to focus on online negativity instead of her talent and creating positive headlines. She also shared advice for the younger generation, plus more.
The August 15 event will stream live on DAZN and is presented by Salita Promotions, in partnership with Wynn Records, Claressa Shields Promotions and Route 30 Promotions, and presenting sponsor Zeus Network.
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