Braekhus, Shields win decisions on HBO’s last boxing show

Claressa Shields, left, avoids a punch from Belgium’s Femke Hermans, during their WBC/IBF/WBA middleweight title boxing match, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Cecilia Braekhus defended her welterweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes on Saturday night in the final fight of the last HBO boxing telecast.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields also defended her middleweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Belgium’s Femke Hermans, winning every round on every scorecard to improve to 8-0 in her two-year pro career.

A small, chilly crowd at the famed outdoor arena at StubHub Center south of downtown Los Angeles witnessed the final show in the 45-year history of HBO’s boxing coverage. The premium cable network has been a driving financial force behind the sport for decades, but its management has decided to bow out of the game amid stiff competition from Showtime, ESPN and new streaming service DAZN.