Jamaican-Canadian singing, acting prodigy Jazmin Headley sings USA National Anthem at women’s heavyweight boxing match

Twelve-year-old Jamaican-Canadian acting and singing prodigy Jazmin Headley sang the USA National Anthem Sunday night during the women’s heavyweight title match between Danielle Perkins and winner Clarissa Shields in Shields’s hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Headley shot to fame last year, when she teamed up with New York-based, visually impaired, Jamaican-born singer Nigy Boy on the inspirational “Goodness of God.”

The heavyweight fight was streamed live on DAZN pay-per-view from Dort Financial Center, with about 6,000 seats, and a floor filled with fans. 

“Playing the role of a young Claressa in the movie ‘Fire Inside’ had its challenges, but seeing Claressa fight up close was truly amazing,” Headley told Caribbean Life on Tuesday. “It’s an experience that I will never forget. It left me speechless. 

“Claressa was moving, weaving and dodging punches throughout the match like a true champion,” she added. “Her performance was phenomenal. It left no doubt in my mind that she is the greatest female fighter of all time. 

“The fight showed her purpose, her determination and the confidence she exudes, and solidifies the reason why she has never lost a fight in her professional career,” Headley continued. 

The MGM movie, “The Fire Inside”, is considered the “inspirational true story” of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, who pushed past obstacles to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. 

“The Fire Inside” was directed by cinematographer (Academy Award nominee) Rachel Morrison, and was released in theatres in the USA on Dec. 25, 2024.

In Sunday night’s unanimous heavyweight boxing victory, 29-year-old Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, with titles in five divisions, “remains undefeated in the women’s heavyweight division, according to The Sporting News.

It said Shields “improved her record to 16-0, with three knockouts.”