Claressa Shields is the daughter of former amateur boxer Bo Shield and mother Mercella Adam. Her parents were absent much in Shield’s childhood, so she was primarily raised by her grandmother, Joanne Adams.
American professional boxer and mixed martial artist Claressa Maria Shields has held multiple world championships in five weight classes.
Similarly, the World Boxing Organization has named her the undisputed female light middleweight title since March 2021.
Though had a difficult childhood and was primarily raised by her grandmother, 29-year-old Claressa Shields has made her named in the boxing realm and is regarded as the “Gwoat” (Greatest Woman of All Time).
Highlights
- Claressa Shields’s parents are Clarence Bobo Shields and Marcella Adams. Her father was an amateur boxer in Flint, Michigan.
- Shields was primarily raised by her grandmother, Joanne Adams, while her father was incarcerated from 1997 to 2004.
- Claressa’s mother struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction for long period of time.
Shields was born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan. She had a difficult childhood marked by poverty, abuse, and a speech impediment.
She lived with her grandmother, Joanne Adams, from age five to 10, again during her freshman and sophomore years.
Her parents, Bo Shields and mother, Marcella Adams, were absent in her childhood. Her father, Bo, was imprisoned since she was two to nine year-old.
Similarly, her mother struggled with alcohol abuse and drug influence.
Claressa Shields’s Father, Bo Shields, Was An Amateur Boxer; His Record Said To Be 27 Wins Without Loss
Shields’s father, Clarence Bobo Shields, was an accomplished amateur boxer who competed in underground leagues. His nickname was “Cannonball.”
Bo’s record is 27 wins without loss. He was a rising star in boxing in the late 1990s. However, his dreams were shattered when he was incarcerated.
When Claressa was two years old, her father was arrested and locked up. Mr. Shields was released in 2004 when Claressa was nine years old.
Her father was well-known as “Bo Bo.” His name carried so much reputation and weight that it was more like a protection and shield to Claressa.
When Shields got into street fights in her late childhood and early teenage years, people were afraid to confront her because she was Bo Bo’s daughter.
Moreover, Claressa Shields was introduced to boxing by her father. When she was 11, Bo made her do 11 push-ups and 30 crunches before bed.
Though he did not teach Claressa, Bo trained her to be an accomplished athlete. However, he believed boxing was a men’s sport and refused to allow Claressa to pursue boxing.
Later, she was encouraged by her grandmother, Joanne, who taught her not to accept restrictions based on her sex. Similarly, her father was ready to make his daughter a boxing champion.
Claressa Shields often posts about her father on her social media account. In June 2024, in one of her Facebook posts, she writes,
Happy Father’s Day to my dad Clarence Bobo Shields! Without him Id have no idea my love for boxing ! My dad wasn’t the richest growing up, but he was the most solid human and most protective person I’d ever met! Love you dad
Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields often said her father introduced her to her ultimate passion and love, boxing.
Claressa Shields’s Mother, Marcella Adams, Struggled With Alcoholism And Drug Addiction During Claressa’s Childhood
Shields’s mother, Marcella Adams, lives in Flint, Michigan. The boxer often posts pictures and appreciation notes about her mother on social media.
On September 2, 2024, Shields wrote a message to her mother on her birthday in a Facebook post. The boxer writes,
HEYYYYY Today is my favorite lady Bday! So grateful God blessed my baby with all these years with me! Idk who I’d be without my Mama! Talk about the mama who never judged, don’t miss a fight, and the original one hitter quitter of the family MY BABY!!!!! Screaming all the way to Flint! Happy bday BIRTHDAY MAMA LOVE YOU FOR EVER!!!!
Claressa Shields
Throughout Claressa’s childhood, her mother struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction. The boxer often mentioned that when Marcella was drunk, she would hit her.
Similarly, Shields was also sexually molested by multiple male guests who came to visit her mother. Furthermore, Claressa’s mother had to scratch around for money.
Marcella Adams even used to sell food stamps given to Claressa and her siblings to get drug money.
Despite the difficulties, Claressa Shields’s mother managed to raise her kids in the father Bo’s absence and more with the help of her mother, Joanne Adams.
Marcella is often seen in the octagon cheering and supporting her loving daughter, Claressa.
Additional Information
- As of [currnet-year], the estimated net worth of Claressa Shields is around $5 million. Her incomes are primarily accumulated from her boxing purses earned from MMA.
- Claressa Shields has three siblings: Artis Mack, Dusable Lewis, and Briana Shields.
- Claressa Shields is currently dating Tony Richardson, popularly known as Tony Rich. He is a certified fitness trainer.
