World champion and two-time Olympic gold medal winning boxer Claressa Shields herself sat in the audience at Cinemark Flint West 14 in Flint along with family members, friends, DBG students, staff, and others for a special screening ofThe Fire Inside. The film, due out Christmas Day, is based on the true story of Shields’ journey from childhood to Olympic gold and her fight for equality for women boxers.
Director Rachel Morrison and actress Ryan Destiny (who plays Sheilds in the film) were also on hand along with trainer Jason Crutchfield and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely. The special screening was organized by Amazon MGM studios which announced grants for the Clarissa Shields Foundation and Downtown Boxing Gym in honor of the release and screening.
“We are grateful to community partners like Amazon for supporting DBG and helping to move our mission forward,” said Khali Sweeney, DBG’s Founder and CEO. “Achieving greatness takes hard work, consistency, and dedication, like Clarissa Shields’ story demonstrates. Whatever dreams our students hold, we’re here to provide the tools, resources, opportunities, and mentors to help cultivate their talents and support them every step of the way.”
As a young amateur boxer, Sheilds often came to DBG to spar, and helped to coach and nuture other young boxers she encountered. Throughout her professional career, Sheilds regularly holds media previews of her fights at DBG and brings her belts and medals to show and inspire students.
“We always knew she was going to be a star,” Khali told reporters at the screening.
Shields, who calls herself the G.W.O.A.T. (Greatest Woman of All Time), is arguably the greatest female boxer in history. She started boxing at the age of 11 and is the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing (at age 17). She went on to win a second Olympic gold medal at the age of 21. Today, she is a four-weight world champion with a professional record of 15-0.
“I want to say thank you so much for showing up,” Shields told the crowd before the film began. “This movie will show you just how strong Flint people are. It’s not just me. All of us in Flint have this ‘no quit’ attitude and we are made from the hardest rock. The film will make you laugh, it will make you cry, parts of it might upset you, but in the end, I hope it inspires you.”
You can see The Fire Inside in theaters on Christmas Day.