Claressa Shields knows how to draw a crowd. Now the boxing star is adding extra glitz and glam.
High-profile rappers will be part of the show and famous boxers are expected to be in attendance when Shields fights Kaye Scott for the women's WBC and WBA world middleweight titles Saturday, Aug. 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Shields, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, will be accompanied on her ring walk by Lotta, the Grammy-award nominated rapper. YG and Diamond the Body, two other notable rappers, will accompany two other fighters on their ring walks.
Also, Shields' team is saving VIP seats for retired boxer star Floyd Mayweather Jr., fellow retired boxing star Terrence Crawford and current boxing sensation Shakur Stevenson, and reserving VIP spots
for two more rappers, Kevin Gates and Shields’ boyfriend, Papoose.
“Claressa is a real bona fide star,’’ Dmitriy Salita, Shields' promoter, told USA TODAY Sports. “And I think she's the biggest selling star.''
As far as drawing a crowd, Shields, 31, drew her biggest yet at her last fight. According to ESPN, there were more than 17,000 spectators on hand at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit when Shields beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision.
She improved to 18-0 and, according to ESPN, increased her world title haul to 18 across five divisions. Salita rejected the notion that Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor are better than his prized fighter.
“They're great fighters, but it's not even close,’’ Salita said. “It's like the accomplishments and the level of competition and (Shields’) dominance, it’s not even close.’’
The crowd with glitz and glam will be able to witness it for itself.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claressa Shields attracts high-profile rappers, famous boxers at fight
