American Claressa Shields returned to the ring on February 5 and defended her World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight championship with a wide unanimous decision over Ema Kozin in Cardiff, a victory that earned her the boxer of the month award from the world’s oldest boxing body.

Claressa, who also put her WBC and IBF crowns on the line, gave another demonstration of dominance and superiority as she earned three 100-90 scorecards in a great display that keeps her at the top of the women’s pound-for-pound charts.

The American had almost a year without fighting and after a stint in mixed martial arts, she returned to the ring to pick up where she left off and continue as one of the most outstanding fighters in the sport.

In addition to Shields’ appointment, the organization’s female rankings were also published and are available to the press and fans on its official website.