Undisputed champ Claressa Shields ‘excited’ for Katie Taylor MSG bow

Newly crowned undisputed women’s world middleweight champion Claressa Shields has admitted to being ‘excited’ to see Katie Taylor attempt to unify the lightweight division this summer.

‘T-Rex’ (9-0) outpointed Christina Hammer in a dominant performance to add the WBO title to her WBA, WBC and IBF belts in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday.

“I am the greatest woman of all time, give me that. You all told me I couldn’t do it,” the two-time Olympic gold medallist defiantly exclaimed in her in-ring post-fight interview. “Women’s boxing is on fire. I cannot wait to see the next super fight, whoever it is between.”

As it turns out, Shields won’t have to wait long for said super fight. Earlier today, Matchroom Boxing confirmed Irish striker Taylor will face current WBC lightweight champion Delfine Persoon on June 1, with the victor emerging as the undisputed champion of the division, laying claim to the WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC and Ring titles.

The contest is scheduled to take place on the undercard of men’s heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s US debut at the world-famous Madison Square Garden against Jarrell Miller.

Following the bout’s announcement on social media, Shields wasted no time in expressing her delight that the women’s division will potentially see a third undisputed champion, following herself and Norway welterweight Cecilia Braekhus.

I’m excited for @KatieTaylor June 1st! She’s fighting to become Undisputed against Delphine Persoon! The winner will be the 3rd woman to become Undisputed! @1LadyCecilia the 1st, @Claressashields the 2nd and Taylor/Persoon the 3rd

— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) April 16, 2019

The 24-year-old, who went 77-1 as an amateur, also took to Twitter to tell Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn that she wished Taylor was headlining the event, insisting that she had “earned it”. Shields also confirmed she would be in attendance to support the 13-0 Irishwoman, herself an Olympic gold medallist.