By Brad Snyder
Photos: Bob Ryder

Claressa Shields’ Trainer, John David Jackson:

On where Shields’ development wise when he began training her and where she is at now:

“She had a great amateur background. All i do is come in and polish her up, to make her become a better professional fighter. I’m teaching her to go to the body more, to get those knockouts.”

On Shields’ new diet and how much influence he had on this:

“That’s all her. Most of the fighters I train I don’t worry about their weight. Most fighters will tell you, ‘I know my body.’ With Shields, she understands she needs to get her weight down. She is doing that. Doing it very well.”

Claressa Shields:

On preparation for this fight:

“Seven weeks of hard work. A lot of people don’t know. I don’t like to be open with it. But I got up to 183 lbs. I hadn’t fought since January. Now, I am 160, as we sit here and talk. That is 23 lbs. I was in camp running and getting ready for the fight. Having to focus on weight was difficult for me.”

On having four women on the main fight poster:

“It opens up my heart. I was so happy that they decided to put them on, and on TV. They have always put me on, but my goal has always been to have them put other women on. So, when they decided to put Tori Nelson and Christina Hammer on, I thought, ‘Yes!’ But there has never been before two women bouts on the same telecast. It shows we are moving up. I can give myself some credit.”

Hanna Gabriels:

On her confidence:

“I am not the greatest on confidence. But I work hard, very hard. Because I don’t trust myself that much.”

On if she feels disrespected with the talk of a potential Shields vs. Hammer fight after this:

“I feel disrespected by very few things. And that is not one. It’s just a part of the promoter’s plans and what people want to see. Hopefully, we bring a surprise and people get to see me. And hopefully, let people know that there are more female boxers out there who may not be getting the same exposure. You should take things as they come. This is an opportunity for me to showcase what I have worked for for years. Let them plan. Who knows? Maybe those plans will fail. Maybe I will be in the game a little more.”

* * *

Salita Promotions presents Shields vs. Gabriels for the IBF and WBA Middleweight Championship June 22nd on Showtime at 10pm Eastern time. Tickets are available at the Masonic Temple’s box office, (313) 832-7100 or www.ticketmaster.com. Plenty of tickets are available. Prices range from $35-300.00.