Episode 929: Is Claressa Shields The Face of American Boxing? Plus, Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez Preview

With Claressa Shields’ win over Kaye Scott, she is now a middleweight titleholder again. 

The bigger story: the live gate. She is packing out the State Farm Arena, and the stars are out to watch her fight. In attendance were Floyd Mayweather, Terence Crawford, and Shakur Stevenson. Some of the greatest fighters of the era are treating Shields’ fights as major events. 

Boots
Haney
Ryan Garcia 
David Benavidez
Vergil Ortiz

That is it? So, let’s unpack this

The result, honestly predictable. Shields stops Scott. It was all but a given. It was her first stoppage since winning the heavyweight title from 

In the co-feature, middleweight Troy Isley defeated amateur rival Joseph Hicks. A lot of animosity that led to nothing. A sparring session.
Ashylynn Lozada got a win, and in the shocker of the night, Bernice Ferreira won the WBC junior lightweight title when Caroline Veyre was disqualified. 
Also, Teremoana Jnr stopped DeAndre Savage in Australia. Is he the next heavyweight, along with Moses Itauma?

Then this weekend: 
Rolando Romero puts his WBA welterweight title on the line against Teofimo Lopez. What are the storylines for this fight? Where is the buzz? What is going on?

The undercard:

Middleweight Yoenli Hernandez will face Francisco Daniel Veron, WBA interim junior featherweight titleholder Victor Santillan will face Gary Antonio Russell, and BoxingScene’s 2025 Prospect of the Year Carlos Utria will face Israel Mercado. 
Undercard notables: the PBC debut of Marco Romero, with Ben Johnson and Jordon Roach returning.

Want to feel old? TikTok will have a fight card. 

Amanda Serrano looks to break Christy Martin’s KO record when she faces Lucrecia Manzur…stopped twice before. 
Lightweight Jahmal Harvey will be in action. Notable bouts: Avious Griffin versus Jackson Marinez, Mayelii Flores is a fun fighter, Lupita Medina vs. Brook Sibrian, and “Right Hook” Roxy Verduzco will be in action.

In the U.K., George Liddard will headline another DAZN card. He faces Dario Morello. Liddard is never the point of taking a real fight. Speaking of that, Jimmy Sains will face Tom Cowling in a way too fun bout. 

Jimmy Sains vs. Tom Cowling, 12 rounds, for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title, and women’s featherweight Tiah Mai Ayton will face Ellie Hellewell.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
15:35 Fighter's Health
19:00 Salita Undercard
22:10 Rolly Romero-Teofimo Lopez preview
26:10 Undercard
29:24 MVP
33:10 Teremoana Jr