sport news Claressa Shields vs Katie Taylor: Who is the real GWOAT? trends now

Claressa Shields has been beaten just once as an amateur or a professional, and on Saturday night she claimed revenge over the opponent who inflicted that loss. 

Banishing the demons of a fateful match-up in China some 10 years back, a result that still clearly haunted - or at least enraged - the Flint-born American, Shields delivered a masterful performance as she silenced the 'Silent Assassin', Savannah Marshall. 

In doing so, Shields - who brands herself the GWOAT - remained unbeaten as a professional as she became a three-time undisputed champion and added further validation to her self-proclaimed title. 

A sold-out O2 Arena witnessed history as Shields and Marshall topped the UK's first-ever all-female boxing card, but it was Shields who left the arena having created the headlines, surpassing her own greatness once more.  

While the 27-year-old's accomplishments are extraordinary, particularly having risen from fierce adversity during a troubled childhood in Michigan, one of America's most impoverished cities, whether she truly is the 'GWOAT' - or greatest woman of all time - is still a debate to be had. 

In the equation is only one other name: Katie Taylor, also an undisputed champion, also an Olympic gold medallist and also a monumental driving force in the progression of women's boxing.  

Two giants of the game - and yes, it's all a bit Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - but only one can be the greatest. Of course, there are always the purists, those who simply feel lucky to have witnessed both, those who feel comparison is not necessary. 

But pound-for-pound rankings have and always will play their part in boxing - in combat sports in general - and currently the No 1 spot in the women's game is up for grabs. 

Olympic pedigree - Shields wins

Where to begin, then? Perhaps Olympic pedigree is an appropriate starting point. The two standout professionals were also standout amateurs, claiming some seven world championship titles between them - five for Taylor, two for Shields. 

But when it comes to Olympic pedigree, there is only one winner: Shields. 

Like Shields, Taylor was a part of history at London 2012, which was the first-ever Olympic Games in which women competed in the boxing ring. 

And, like Shields, Taylor, then 26, claimed the gold medal. The Irishwoman defeated Natasha Jonas, Mavzuna Chorieva and eventually Sofya Ochigava to win Ireland's first Olympic gold medal in 16 years - and Ireland's only gold medal of the Games. 

But when it came to her defence four years later, the reigning lightweight champion crashed out at the first hurdle as she was beaten by Finland's Mira Potkonen in Rio. Taylor would turn pro just a matter of months later.

Shields, having lost to Marshall a matter of months prior, also claimed gold at the 2012 Olympics - doing so aged only 17. She beat Anna Laurell Nash, Marina Volnova and Nadezhda Torlopova on the way to a famous feat. 

Of the 12-member USA team, Shields was the only gold medallist in London. And four years later, in Rio, Shields would make history once more. 

The reigning middleweight champion made it back-to-back golds - becoming the first American boxer, male or female, to defend an Olympic title. Shields would make her pro debut shortly after - leaving behind a record of 77-1 as an amateur. 

With back-to-back Olympic titles by the age of 21, and with just one blip on a 78-fight record - Shields' pedigree has to come out on top.  

Best win - Taylor

Moving on to the best win, and in this case it's Taylor who takes the title. By this I don't mean the most dominant performance, but the best name on their resumes. 

And while Shields' victory over Marshall last weekend was hugely impressive, the Hartlepool fighter doesn't quite have the same reputation as an Amanda Serrano.  

Marshall has held just one world title in her time, being the vacant WBO strap she picked up with victory over Hannah Rankin in October 2021. She made three defences before losing to Shields. 

Taylor's victory over Serrano earlier this year was a win for the ages, however - and not only because the pair became the first women to headline the prestigious Madison Square Garden. 

Similarly to Shields' win over Marshall, the bout between Serrano and Taylor was also for the undisputed championship - though in the lightweight division, and with all the belts belonging to the Irishwoman. 

Unlike Marshall, though, Serrano was widely deemed a pound-for-pound star, one who came into the bout as the slight favourite. Then with a record of 42-1-1, and having won world titles in a staggering seven weight classes, the renowned power-puncher was a fearsome opponent. 

This match-up had no significant backstory. It had no rivalry, no needle - only the tagline of having two of the greatest-ever fighters going at it. And Taylor won.   

The only caveat is that while Shields' win over Marshall was convincing, Taylor's win over Serrano was close - a split-decision. But even so, Taylor's scalp has to be deemed a better one. 

Accomplishments - Shields

The next category to compare is their overall accomplishments, not just what they achieved in the amateur ranks. 

And

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