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Tag Archives: Claressa Shields
UNIFIED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION CLARESSA SHIELDS REFLECTS ON OLYMPIC GLORY AND PREDICTS SUCCESSFUL 2018 IN SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO FEATURE
“I did something that made history and people are sitting there acting like I don’t even exist” – Claressa Shields
Shields Prepares To Defend Her World Titles Against Undefeated Tori Nelson This Friday, Jan. 12 At 10 p.m. ET/PT Live On SHOWTIME®
Watch, View & Share Via YouTube: http://s.sho.com/2CIfxwr
WHAT: Unified champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields reflects on her remarkable amateur career and forecasts success in 2018, starting when she defends her belts against undefeated mandatory challenger Tori Nelson this Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME.
“I want to go down in history as the best women’s fighter ever, and how do you do that?” Shields ponders as she explains her decision to turn pro. “I did something that made history and people are sitting there acting like I don’t even exist.”
Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) takes viewers through a day of training camp in her hometown of Flint, Michigan, where she discusses growing up in the city that defines her and predicts a dominating professional career in multiple weight classes.
“Once I beat [Nelson], I’m calling out all the top girls. If you think you can beat me, let’s make it happen. I’m from 154 to 168. After this fight, I’m dropping down to 160 and I’m kicking everybody’s ass at 160,” Shields says. “And after that, I’m going to go to 154 and who’s the pound-for-pound right now? Cecilia Braekhus? She got to see me too.”
The 22-year-old defends her titles against mandatory challenger Tori Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) this Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Salita Promotions Adds to World-Class Women’s Boxing Roster, Signs Top Female Prospect Franchon Crews-Dezurn to a Promotional Contract
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Salita Promotions Congratulates Shields On 2017 Year-End Awards
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Salita Promotions Signs Women’s Superstar Christina Hammer to Multi-Fight Promotional Contract
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Claressa Shields Media Workout Quotes & Photos
Unified Super Middleweight World Champion To Defend Titles Against Undefeated Challenger Tori Nelson Friday, Jan. 12, in Main Event On SHOWTIME
Click HERE for Photos from Terrell Groggins / Salita Promotions
DETROIT (Dec. 13, 2017) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields met with local members of the media and took part in an open-to-the-public workout on Tuesday at Kronk Gym, exactly one month away from defending her 168-pound WBC and IBF titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.
A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.
Here is what the 22-year-old native of Flint, Mich., had to say on Tuesday:
CLARESSA SHIELDS
“I am calm – focused – but still hungry like a challenger with the added confidence of being a world champion. I took some time off after my last win but I look forward to getting busy again in 2018.
“This training camp I did eight weeks instead of six. A lot of camp has been extremely hard. But I’m so focused and determined on 2018 and starting great and staying busy. I expect my opponent to apply pressure, and to use some dirty tactics. She has more experience, but not that much when you speak of her amateur experience
“There is no doubt I will start 2018 with a win. Then I just take it one fight at a time. Right now my focus is Nelson.
“I’m excited to be on SHOWTIME as the first fight of the year, and just to be back inside the ring. I feel I have been the face of women’s boxing for some time now. I don’t let it feel like pressure – I just work really hard in the gym.
“In 2018 I expect great fights against the best contenders. I expect to make history again on SHOWTIME and also looking forward to dropping to 160 to fight against [Christina] Hammer mid-2018. January 12th will be the beginning of great things to come
“Training through the holidays is fine. The difference between the amateurs and now is that I was always in other countries competing. Now I get to be home with my family getting ready and I feel good.
“The matchup to me will play out with the first few rounds of me using my jab. Then I’ll add the combinations as the fight goes on. I see it being competitive though. I’m going to earn the win. I believe I can KO her by the sixth, seventh round.”
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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
UNDEFEATED 140-POUND PROSPECTS SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV & SONNY FREDRICKSON MEET IN JAN. 12 SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONTRIPLEHEADER HEADLINED BY CLARESSA SHIELDS-TORI NELSON
Jesse Hernandez Makes ShoBox Return Opposing Ernesto Garza In Co-Feature
Friday, Jan. 12 Live On SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT
From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
NEW YORK (Dec. 12, 2017) – Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev will face the toughest test of his career in fellow undefeated and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson in the telecast opener of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
In the co-feature of the tripleheader headlined by the Claressa Shields-Tori Nelson Women’s 10-round Super Middleweight World Championship, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs) will take on former National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout between two all-action fighters.
Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs), who has recorded a knockout in each of his first 11 professional fights, and Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, will contest an eight-round super lightweight bout.
“This card is a great way to set the tone for competitive fights in the 2018,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “These are two pick’em fights with the winners having a legitimate shot at world title contention in the near future. Egrashev has the power, skills and ambition to be an exciting addition to the already packed junior welterweight division, but he’s facing his toughest test in Sonny Fredrickson. Jessy Hernandez is coming off impressive wins over two undefeated fighters and he’s returning against a very durable challenger with solid pro experience and strong amateur boxing pedigree. I am excited and grateful to SHOWTIME that we were able to put together these fantastic fights as the first show of the year.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.
The 26-year-old Ergashev has been a pro for just over one year and is a former six-year member of the Uzbek national team where he won 202 of his 216 amateur bouts. A decorated amateur, Ergashev owns a win over Uzbekistan’s Shakhram Giyasov, a silver medalist in the welterweight division at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ergashev registered a TKO against Marquis Hawthorne at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., in his last fight – and first in the United States – on Nov. 11. He now trains in Detroit under Javan “Sugar” Hill Steward and Rick Phillips at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit.
“I know Sonny is a world-ranked, highly touted fighter,” Ergashev said. “I look forward to continuing my knockout streak and getting my 12th KO on January 12. I am excited to fight on SHOWTIME and show the world what I bring to the ring.”
The 23-year-old Fredrickson is currently ranked No. 9 by the World Boxing Association. An active amateur who had 130 amateur bouts with more than 120 wins, Fredrickson traveled to Medellin, Colombia, in his last fight to face unbeaten Placido Ramirez as part of the annual WBA Convention and looked impressive in a third-round knockout.
Fredrickson competed in both the U.S. Amateur National Championships and National Golden Gloves and has been an active pro with five fights in 2015, four in 2016 and three in 2017. He is represented by Roc Nation Sports and trained by Lamar Wright.
“If you look at Ergashev’s past opponents, he hasn’t fought against anyone that talented, so I’m confident that I’ll stop him in his tracks,” Fredrickson said. “I’m sure he’ll try to come out strong in the beginning of the fight, but I plan to break him down.
“Plenty of boxing stars got their first break on SHOWTIME, so fighting on this network is huge for me. I’m ready to capitalize on this opportunity and showcase my skills on one of the biggest platforms in boxing. My goal is to put on a great performance at Turning Stone and get the victory.”
Hernandez is coming off two consecutive wins over previously undefeated, top-15 ranked fighters – a unanimous decision over Glenn Dezurn on Nov. 11, and fifth-round TKO of Vladimir Tikhonov in his ShoBox debut on Aug. 4. The 27-year-old Hernandez, the youngest of 15 children, was 67-6 as an amateur and took five years off from boxing between 2009 and 2014 to work construction jobs in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is going to be a tough fight, but I am putting in the work and feel like I will definitely come out on top,” said Hernandez, who has six brothers that have boxed professionally. “It will be action-packed and a must-watch fight. I feel like my aggressive style is meant for TV. I will fight whoever is put in front of me to prove my worth. Dominance in the 122-pound weight division is my ultimate goal.”
Garza, of Saginaw, Mich., was the 2008 National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist and a 2009 U.S. National Championships Bronze Medalist. The 29-year-old is fighting on ShoBox for the second time having suffered a third-round knockout against Jon Fernandez on Feb. 10, in Miami, Okla. Garza has won his last two fights since the defeat, both coming in Michigan.
“I’ve been training hard for this fight, and I can’t wait to step into the ring to show the world my talent,” Garza said. “I know I’m going to come out on top and bring back this win for my hometown. I’m extremely blessed and grateful for this opportunity. I can’t let it slip away.”
In the main event, Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Nelson. A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event on ShoBox.
Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) won a middleweight world championship in 2011 and owns wins over previously unbeaten Alicia Napoleon and Mia St. John. The 41-year-old Ashburn, Va., native looks to capture her second world title in a showdown with the fastest rising star in women’s boxing.
This will be the sixth ShoBox visit to Turning Stone Resort Casino, which hosted its first ShoBox telecast during the 2013 Hall of Fame weekend.
Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.
CLARESSA SHIELDS TO DEFEND WOMEN’S SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLES AGAINST UNDEFEATED MANDATORY CHALLENGER TORI NELSON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Unified Champion & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Headlines ShoBox: The New Generation From Turning Stone Resort Casino In Verona, N.Y.
NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2017) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.
A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Shields dethroned previously unbeaten Nikki Adler Aug. 4 on SHOWTIME to pick up the WBC and vacant IBF titles less than one year after she became the first American boxer to capture back-to-back Olympic gold medals. The 22-year-old native of Flint, Mich., returns to face Nelson, a seven-year veteran with seven times the professional ring experience.
“I’m truly excited to have the chance to demonstrate my skills against an opponent the caliber of Tori Nelson,” Shields said. “I’m honored to be headlining the firstShoBox of 2018, and I know January 12 will be a great night for the fans. This will be the beginning of a historic year for me and for women’s boxing.”
Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) won a middleweight world championship in 2011 and owns wins over previously unbeaten Alicia Napoleon and Mia St. John. The 41-year-old Ashburn, Va., native looks to capture her second world title in a showdown with the fastest rising star in women’s boxing.
“Ever since Claressa turned pro, I have wanted this fight,” Nelson said. “She’s young and talented, but my experience will make the difference. Since I became a boxer, I have dreamed of being in big fights on television. I am confident that I will win this fight and remain undefeated. And I plan to retire as an undefeated world champion.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, go on sale Monday, Nov. 13 for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711or online at Ticketmaster.
“Claressa’s determination to challenge the best available contenders shows why she is one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport today,” promoter Dmitriy Salita said. “This is a great matchup and I am confident that we will witness another memorable performance.”
Said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of ShoBox: The New Generation: “Claressa is a star both in and out of the ring who possesses all the intangibles to become the face of women’s boxing. In just four professional fights, two as headliners on ShoBox, she is already unified champion at 168 with plans to conquer the 160 and 154-pound divisions. Tori Nelson is undefeated, a former champion, and represents what should be the toughest test of Claressa’s young career. Only time will tell, but I don’t know if there is any fighter in the world who can stop Claressa Shields.”
Shields compiled an amateur record of 77-1 and won her first Olympic Gold when she was only 17 years old in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the 2012 London Games. She won a second gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and turned professional three months later.
In March 2017 in Detroit, Shields stopped Hungary’s Szilvia Szabados in four rounds in the first women’s main event in premium television history. Shields returned to headline her second ShoBox telecast in August, knocking out Adler in the fifth round to become unified champion in just her fourth professional fight. With the win, Shields became the 70th world champion in the history of the prospect developmental series.
Active in her community, Shields advocates for several social issues and serves as an inspirational figure in her hometown of Flint, a city beset by problems.
Nelson turned professional at the age of 29 and won the WBC 160-pound title in just her fifth professional fight. She twice fought to a draw in middleweight world title bouts with Teresa Perozzi.
The high-pressure Nelson is one fight removed from a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Napoleon, and is fresh off a second round knockout of Latashia Burton in her first hometown fight in Ashburn, Va.
Undercard bouts for the ShoBox telecast will be announced in the coming weeks.
TEAM SHIELDS CONGRATULATES BOXING’S NEWEST SUPERSTAR, CLARESSA SHIELDS, FOR WINNING UNIFIED WORLD TITLES IN FOURTH PRO FIGHT
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DETROIT (August 8, 2017) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields became the unified WBC and IBF World Super Middleweight Champion last Friday night with a dominant fifth-round TKO of now former champion Nikki Adler.
Fighting in front of her home state fans at MGM Grand Detroit and in the main event of a nationally televised ShoBox: The New Generation, Shields put on a display of skills and power seldom seen by a first-time world-title challenger. Without any answers to the level of talent in front of her, Adler was forced to cover up and withstand the blazing speed of Shields’ fists for five one-sided rounds.
A driven competitor, Shields is on a mission to become the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) and the performance against Adler has the entire world watching. Four fights into her professional career and Shields is already the face of women’s boxing.
“It was a dream come true to win two world title belts in one night!” said Shields. “I was very proud of my performance, and I can’t wait to defend my belts and then give Christina Hammer her first defeat.”
For Team Shields, the victory was more than could ever be asked for from their young fighter.
“Congratulations to a unified world champion Claressa Shields!” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “In less than a year as a pro, she has already achieved what no other woman has done in the sport. America’s first two-time Olympic Gold Medalist has become a professional unified world champion in just her fourth professional fight! Congratulations also to the great team behind her: long-time trainer Jason Crutchfield, Berston Field House, and to her managers who work diligently behind the scenes Mark Taffet and Jamie Fritz. I and everyone at SP is proud and excited to be part of this exciting journey of a lady who is on a quest to be GWOAT!”
Shields co-manager, Mark Taffet, a long-time TV exec in boxing, says he’s never seen a performance like the one Shields turned in against Adler. “Claressa Shields’ win over Nikki Adler was the most dominant performance I have ever seen in a championship fight, male or female. She is staking her claim to be GWOAT in spectacular fashion. Claressa is carrying women’s boxing forward on her broad shoulders.”
Having fought three times this year already, winning two regional and two world title belts along the way, Shields says she will take some time to enjoy her historic accomplishments before plotting the next move with her team.
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NIKKI ADLER vs. CLARESSA SHIELDS FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR TOMORROW/FRIDAY, AUG. 4 SHOBOX DOUBLEHEADER
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT from MGM Grand Detroit
“The game plan is simple: Win the fight.” – Nikki Adler
“I think I can get her out in six rounds.” – Claressa Shields
Click HERE To Download Weigh-In Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
DETROIT (Aug. 3, 2017) – WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Nikki Adler and hometown favorite, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields officially made weight on Thursday, one day before they headline a doubleheader tomorrow/Friday, Aug. 4 on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from MGM Grand Detroit.
Shields (3-0, 1 KO) tipped the scales at 165 ¼ pounds with the champion Adler (16-0, 9 KOs) of Germany coming in at 166 pounds even. In the ShoBox co-feature, world-ranked super bantamweight Vladimir Tikhonov (15-0, 9 KOs) of Russia will face Jesse Hernandez (8-1, 6 KOs) of Fort Worth, Texas, in an eight-round bout. Both fighters weighed in at 123 ¼ pounds.
Shields’ good friend and newly crowned UFC Featherweight World ChampionCris “Cyborg” Justino was on hand Thursday and will walk Shields into the ringon Friday. Also in attendance at the weigh-in was a potential future Shields’ opponent, five-time world champion Christina Hammer, who is undefeated at 21-0 and currently holds the WBC and WBO Middleweight titles.
Justino and Hammer met with the media in a forum moderated by Shields’ co-manager Mark Taffet before the weigh-in.
“I never thought it would happen, that the sports of MMA and boxing would come together like it has with the upcoming Mayweather-McGregor fight,” said Justino, the former Strikeforce and Invicta FC champion. “I think it’s great and incredible and could possibly open the door for other fights between the sports.”
“I’m looking forward to watching Claressa win the fight tomorrow night,” said Hammer. “I want to see her keep winning so we can fight one day. I only want to fight the best and she seems to be one of the best.”
Tickets for the event promoted by Salita Promotions are on sale now and are priced at $350, $250, $125 and $60. They will be available atwww.ticketmaster.com.
Programming Note: Episode 2 of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. McGregor will air Friday night before the ShoBox telecast at 10 p.m. ET/PT. To watch an exclusive clip of the episode, click here: http://s.sho.com/2u8OxWK.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:
Nikki Adler: 166 Pounds
Claressa Shields: 165¼ Pounds
Vladimir Tikhonov: 123¼ Pounds
Jesse Angel Hernandez: 123¼ Pounds
FINAL QUOTES:
NIKKI ADLER:
“This fight is very big in Germany, and I know there will be a lot of eye on me. It will be 4:30 in the morning, but there will be live streaming and viewing parties.
“I’m going to be defensive in the early going and know that Claressa is going to come forward. I want to get the fight into the later rounds. It’s 10 rounds of boxing and there will be lots of action.
“I know I will be tough to knock out and have no plans of going down. Claressa has gotten all the hype so far and she wants to put on a show for her fans. I’m going to do everything I can to send those fans home upset after I beat her and carry those belts out of the ring.
“This is my second fight with my trainer Rene [Friese]. I wanted to train with the best and I need a trainer who had worked with the top fighters.
“My trainer has really been stressing strategies. We have a lot of them. The game plan is simple: Win the fight.
“Fighting for the first time in the United States is going to be amazing. I’ve only fought in Russia and Germany, so to be here in a main event on SHOWTIME is really special.”
CLARESSA SHIELDS:
“I feel like I’m a lot healthier and hydrated than I did fighting at 160. I’m not sluggish. I used a chef who prepared my meals for the first time and I feel great.
“I’ve known about Nikki Adler and Christina Hammer for a long time. I like both of the girls, but when it comes to getting in the ring it’s all about business.
“Technically I see that [Nikki] is very poised and calm. She’s patient, but not too patient.
“Even though she may be the bigger fighter, I know I’m the aggressor. I think I can get her out in six rounds.
“Of course everyone wants to get the big knockout, but I haven’t found the right punch that gets the girls knocked out. I’m young so I know it will come.
“I’m glad Cyborg is here to support me. She hits hard and we’ve sparred. She’s strong and she is fast. She’s picked up a lot from me, and I’ve learned from her. She’s the most feared MMA fighter, and I’m most feared in boxing. So it’s great for both women’s sports.”
VLADIMIR TIKHONOV:
“This is my first time ever in America. I’m pretty impressed with it. There’s so much to do and see, but I can’t let distractions get in the way.
“I’ve been here for about a month training at Kronk Gym. Russian fighters are known for being very disciplined, and we know the opportunity that is in front of us. There is no room for slip ups and to get lazy. This is my big shot and I’m going to take advantage of it.
“The sparring has been the biggest thing. I’ve been sparring with pros and amateurs. It’s so much more powerful here and the variety is something I would never get at home.
“I can box and I can brawl. Whatever I have to do to get the win.”
JESSE HERNANDEZ:
“I had a layoff of about five years and worked construction jobs because I had to pay the bills, but now I’m back and focused on boxing.
“In the past I’ve been known to be too aggressive, so I’m going to try and slow things down and be a more tactical boxer.
“I have six brothers who were professional boxers and I’ve learned from them. My nickname is ‘The One’ because now I’m the only left fighting.
“I’m the youngest of 15 children, all with the same parents. We are a very close family.
“I’m a natural right-hander and I’m ready to fight a lefty like Tikhonov. I’ve fought some southpaws and I’ve been sparring with lefties.
“He’s undefeated for a reason. I don’t think he’s been in there with someone as tough as I am; as aggressive as I am.”
RENE FRIESE, Adler’s trainer
“We came all the way over here to bring home the belts back to Germany.
“We have our plan and our strategy in place. We are ready for this fight.”
JASON CRUTCHFIELD, Shields’ trainer
“There hasn’t been much smack talking for this fight. I told her you need to let your fists do your talking. Your mouth can’t help you in the ring.
“We are ready for 10 rounds. I’m not going to say it’s hard; it’s doable. It’s her first time doing it. We’ve trained for it and she’s been 10 rounds in training three or four times.”
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