_1643172175.jpg)
WBC, IBF, WBA middleweight champion Claressa Shields is gearing up for next week’s defense against mandatory challenger Ema Kozin, which takes place on Saturday, February 5 from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales and also available in the U.S. and Canada on pay-per-view.
Shields will be making her UK debut as a professional, entering the ring as the co-main event, with middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event.
A win over Kozin will lead Shields to a unification grudge match with WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall in the summer. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat Shields’ has suffered in the pro or amateur ranks.
Shields has prepared at Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas, The Mayweather Boxing Club.
According to Shields, the former five division world champion is planning to fly to the UK to watch her fight with Kozin.
“I’ve never overlooked an opponent and I won’t just because of the Savannah Marshall fight. We’ve always had someone that we’re already working on facing for the next fight. I’ve been in this situation before. I’m focusing on the person who has earned the right to fight me. Kozin is my mandatory, and I respect that this is a huge opportunity for her,” Shields said.
“Training with Floyd Mayweather has pushed my confidence even higher. He’s very fond of my skills and my power and he said he’s going to fly to the UK to watch this fight. So I’m definitely looking to put on a great show.
“If I had to use one word for this camp, it would be: uncomfortable. I made sure that I got out of my comfort zone for this fight. I’m making sure that I have all my tools and going to the Mayweather Boxing Club has really sharpened those tools.