Shea Ready for Ring Return

MAUREEN Shea (12-0, 6 KOs) will take on Ellsha "Jager Bomb" Cleffman (3-1, 3 KOs) in the main event of the Irish Ropes "Yonkers Goes Bonkers" promotion at the Yonkers PAL on Wednesday, September 10.

Shea, who normally fights around 126-130 pounds and is the WBA's #1 ranked super featherweight, will take on Cleffman, from Nebraska, in an eight round fight at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

"She happens to be a big girl (Cleffman), so Maureen has to go up in weight to deal with her," said Irish Ropes matchmaker Jim Borzell.

Cleffman, who normally fights at light middleweight (154 pounds), is coming off her first loss on June 12. Her three previous victories all came by way of knockout.

It has been over a year since the "Real Million Dollar Baby," as Shea is known, was last in action when she stopped Jessica Mohs in the second round in Cipriani's on Wall Street. Though Shea has fought around this weight before, (her biggest fighting weight was 134 pounds against Eva Lidia Silva in March 2007) she is expected to come into this fight around 138 pounds.

Borzell feels that putting on the weight will be more of a handicap than help. "I feel it will be a hindrance, but in sparring with world champions that are around that weight, she has held her own," Borzell said.

He is referring to the sparring Shea did with Ann Saccaruto when the Bronx native was taking her fledgling steps in the professional game and Saccaruto was on her way to becoming world lightweight champion.

Shea had been preparing diligently with nutritionist Robert Ferguson to cut weight until she heard last week it was no longer necessary. However, when the Irish Voice caught up with Shea on Monday, she was in upbeat mood and eager to get back into the squared circle.

"I thought I was fighting at 130, but I was wrong! I have a lot more strength and a lot more game now. I spar with big people and I feel good about it. Like I have always said, I will fight whoever is put in front of me," said Shea.

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Nster.com