Fighting for Dream

Listen & Read Audio available for Action subscribers at www.scholastic.com/ actionmag Vocabulary grueling: very tiring tournament: a contest or group of contests played for a championship inspired: gave a positive idea to determined: strong- minded; focused on a goal confident: sure of oneself This year, for the first time ever, women’s boxing will be an event at the Olympics. Claressa, 17, is the youngest person on the U.S. team. 12 Scholastic Action | May 7, 2012 LEXILE 800 Fighting for Her Dream Boxing changed Claressa’s life. Now this powerful teen aims to make history at the 2012 Summer Olympics. “Jab and pop, pop pop when she informed him tenacity was rewarded—her pop,” Claressa Shields that she wanted to box, his father capitulated and took muttered rhythmically as she response wasn’t enthusiastic. her to the boxing gym to start warmed up. “Jab right hand. “He told me, ‘No! No! training. As the lone girl in It’s about to go down.” Boxing is a man’s sport,’” attendance, Claressa received It was February 18, 2012, Claressa remembers. “It some inquisitive glances. and Claressa was preparing made me so mad.” Claressa didn’t concern for a fight. She had boxed Undeterred, Claressa herself with fitting in, instead extensively before, but vowed to pursue her dream. concentrating on developing today the stakes were “I wanted to fight. I knew her skills—and today she higher than ever: A victory that whatever I put my has a record of 23 wins and would secure Claressa a heart and my work into, I zero losses. “I think you’re spot on the U.S. Olympic was going to be successful awesome,” her father told her Women’s Boxing Team. at it,” she explains. recently, proud that she had Claressa’s opponent was Eventually, Claressa’s proved him wrong. a two-time U.S. champion, and the fight wasgrueling . When Claressa (in blue) is in “Her whole game plan the ring, she says that she stays was to hold me against “determined and calm.” the ropes so I wouldn’t hit her,” remembers Claressa. Claressa persevered and won the fight— and, in addition, she was awarded the title of outstanding fighter for the entire tournament! Her Right to Fight Claressa, now 17, started boxing at age 11. She was inspired by her father, a sue jaye johnson sue jaye © former fighter—but initially, www.scholastic.com/actionmag | May 7, 2012 13 Changing Her Life Claressa has encountered numerous challenges outside the boxing ring: Her father was incarcerated for much of Claressa’s early life, and her mother struggles with personal difficulties. Claressa has moved several times and currently resides with her aunt. “Before boxing, my goal Claressa runs as part of her training. was to have 10 kids before She is a middleweight boxer. I was 26,” Claressa recalls. These days, she trains Inner Strength myself it’s going to be harder diligently, noting, “My goals Boxers often get hurt . so than I think,” she explains. changed completely.” what’s Claressa’s emotional “I fight them all like they are Claressa’s hometown state when she enters the world champions. If I think it’s is Flint, Michigan, a city ring? “I’m not nervous,” she going to be easy, I’m done!” besieged by widespread asserts. “I’m determined unemployment and crime. and calm.” Recognizing the Olympic Dreams Although being surrounded value of staying confident, Claressa will undoubtedly by neighbors in such she adds, “I’ve never gotten need confidence this month: dire circumstances might into the ring thinking that a From May 9 to May 20, she’ll discourage some teenagers, girl can beat me.” be in China, competing in Claressa declares, “It just Nonetheless, Claressa the Women’s World Boxing makes me work harder. I never underestimates her Championships. want to be something.” competition. “I always tell Despite already being on the U.S. Olympic team, Claressa must place in the top eight in her weight class out of all the female boxers in the world in order to compete in the Olympics. We asked Claressa whether competing in the Olympics would feel any different from previous fights. “No,” she replied. “Just a fight. Just another girl in my way.” —Sarah Jane Brian sue jaye johnson sue jaye Claressa with her coach, Jason © Crutchfield, and some of her awards Find out if Claressa makes it to the olympics! both pages: pages: both 14 Scholastic Action | May 7, 2012.

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