Tuesday 25 October 2016 20:22, UK
Olympic champion Claressa Shields will make her professional debut next month in Las Vegas.
The 21-year-old American will fight for the first time in the paid ranks on the undercard of fellow gold medallist Andre Ward's title showdown with Sergey Kovalev on November 19.
Undefeated super middleweight champion Ward will top the bill at the T-Mobile Arena when he challenges the Florida-based Russian for his WBO, WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles, live on Sky Sports.
Shields is the first Olympic champion from the US since Ward won gold in 2004 and the only American to ever defend their title.
The middleweight dominated the field at London 2012 and in Rio this summer where she also won the Val Barker Trophy as the tournament's top fighter in Brazil.
"After working hard for so many years and having the honour to represent my country at two Olympic games, I am thrilled to take the next big step in my career, fighting professionally and leading the rise of women's boxing worldwide," Shields said in a statement.
"There is no better place to begin the journey than to join the biggest fight of the year, Kovalev vs Ward, and to fight alongside my idol and fellow U.S. Olympic gold medallist Andre Ward. I can't wait to entertain the fans on November 19."
Shields' pro debut will be over four two-minute rounds against an opponent to be named later this week.
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