DAZN put Claressa Shields #1 ahead of Katie Taylor on Pound for Pound list

DAZN, the broadcaster that airs Katie Taylor’s fights have replaced the Irish Icon on top of their pound-for-pound list with Claressa Shields.

The American, and self-proclaimed GWOAT, usurped the undisputed lightweight world champion after her victory at the 02 Arena last weekend.

Taylor had reigned top of DAZN’s pile courtesy of her victory over Amanda Serrano in the greatest women’s fight of all time at the end of April.

However, after Shields became the first-ever boxer to unify three entire divisions when defeating Savannah Marshall in an extremely entertaining clash in London on Saturday night, the broadcasters felt she should now be deemed the greatest active female fighter on the planet.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, DAZN said: “Shields now occupies the position due to the fight, one that she was once considered an underdog in, going her way without any doubt surrounding it.

“Where Taylor was pushed close by Serrano earlier this year, Shields was able to dominate Marshall for lengthy periods despite the Brit rallying late on.

“Shields, a fighter who carries the GWOAT moniker, is finally back in the gloried position, and based on her most recent performance, it will take a special boxer to oust her as number one.”

Irish fights fans have huge respect and admiration for Shields, who despite being bullish about her GWOAT belief, has always been respectful to Taylor and courteous to Irish fans and media.

The Irish fight fraternity will always argue Taylor’s case but are aware there is a time she will be replaced at the top of the pound-for-pound pile, In fact, some may feel that time is now. Now that the Flint native has finally got a big-name win, some believe she can claim to be the best on the planet.

However, others will point out Marshall is no Amanda Serrano or anywhere near it. Serrano has won world titles across seven weight classes, winning more straps than Marshall has had world title fights. The Puerto Rican is also in every pound-for-pound list available, featuring in the top three in most. The same can’t be said of Marshall, meaning Taylor’s most recent win came against one of the top three fighters on the planet. Not to mention Taylor also has wins over Delfine Persoon and Jessica McCaskill, two other fighters who appear in every top 10 list.

Those, who point to the aforementioned as proof Taylor should reign #1 will also argue any boxing pundit not paid to promote Shields and Marshall would argue it’s a good fight but one the American was always favourite to win.

At the end of the day Pound for Pound lists are subjective and Irish-boxing.com, who argue Katie Taylor is Ireland’s greatest sports star, understand Shields and Taylor may alternate between #1 and #2 but both are greats that will be forever remembered as such.