Shields-Hammer: No Personal Issue Heading Into Fight

Even with the prolific smack talk and jabs from Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer, both fighters refute that they actually hate each other.

“We train hard, talk trash and put boxing first. That sells,” Shields (8-0, 2KOs) told reporters on Tuesday during  conference call for their April 13th middleweight unification fight. “It’s a fight, though. I never hate any (opponent).”

With a win, Shields would become the quickest to ever become an undisputed world champion in the four-belt era.

Holding at least one middleweight title for the past nine-years, Hammer is second to Cecilia Braekhus in the longest title reign currently in the sport of boxing, and refuses to let the pressure or Shields pointed words deter her from history.

“It’s normal, it’s just boxing,” insists Hammer, who looks to make her 13th middleweight title defense in addition to adding more hardware to her collection. “On (fight night), whoever has the better game plan will win, and that will be me.”

“I don’t think that we’re to the point of (Anthony Joshua vs. Jarrell) Miller disrespectful,”comparing their fight to the June 1st showdown at Madison Square Garden.

I just feel like (the trash talk) brings more fuel to the fire. And we’re gonna have a big ‘ol fire on April 13.”