Claressa Shields’ $15M Bid to Convey Laila Ali Out of Retirement

Claressa Shields—the reigning undisputed girls’s heavyweight boxing champion—made headlines by saying she had secured a $15 million purse to entice boxing legend Laila Ali out of retirement. In a video submitted to TMZ Sports activities, Shields declared:

“Laila, I’m right here with my workforce. We received the $15 million! Let’s make a struggle between me and also you.”

The daring callout instantly reignited their long-standing feud and sparked hypothesis a couple of potential mega-fight for December 2025. As Claressa continues to construct her model, her boldness is contagious. Nonetheless, Laila’s historic profession, could give Claressa the battle she’s searching for. This piece breaks down the main points of the supply, every fighter’s legacy, their private beef, the sudden drama involving Remy Ma and Papoose, and the broader influence on girls’s boxing.

Claressa Shields: The GWOAT in Motion

Born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, Claressa Shields has develop into one of the dominant and embellished athletes in boxing historical past. With an undefeated report of 16-0, together with 11 knockouts, she’s not solely a two-time Olympic gold medalist (London 2012 and Rio 2016) but additionally the one boxer—male or feminine—to carry undisputed titles in three totally different weight courses within the four-belt period. That alone solidifies her self-appointed title because the GWOAT: Biggest Girl of All Time.

Shields first burst onto the worldwide scene as a teen, profitable her first Olympic gold at simply 17 years previous. Her aggressive fashion, relentless work ethic, and unapologetic confidence made her a standout in a sport usually dominated by male narratives. After conquering the middleweight division, she unified titles within the tremendous middleweight class and ultimately moved as much as heavyweight—making historical past with each step. Her victories over top-tier opponents like Christina Hammer and longtime rival Savannah Marshall have confirmed her mettle beneath stress.

Past her dominance within the ring, Shields has additionally ventured into MMA, debuting with the Skilled Fighters League (PFL) in 2021. Although the transition was met with challenges, it additional demonstrated her fearless perspective and flexibility as a fight athlete.

An Entertaining Persona

Her affect additionally transcends sports activities. She’s appeared in documentaries like T-Rex, which chronicled her journey to the Olympics, and he or she’s develop into a vocal advocate for girls’s sports activities, equal pay, and social justice points. She usually makes use of her platforms to talk out about rising up in poverty, overcoming abuse, and representing Flint with satisfaction and resilience.

Shields’ subsequent bout is scheduled for July 26, 2025, in opposition to New Zealand champion Lani Daniels. Whereas that struggle holds significance, the $15 million problem to Laila Ali may outline the subsequent chapter in her legacy. With followers already buzzing about the potential of a generational conflict, Shields took to X and declared:

“I’m the GREATEST NOW!”

And based mostly on her resume, she simply could be proper.

Shields Places $15 Million on the Desk

At 30 years previous, Claressa Shields has provided Laila Ali, 47, a $15 million payday to return out of retirement—a transfer funded partially by Wynn Information CEO Ruben Branson. The proposed cut up consists of $9 million for Shields, $6 million for Ali, with each side set to earn extra revenue by way of pay-per-view income, doubtlessly producing $30–40 million in complete.

Shields’ workforce has proposed both the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas or AT&T Stadium in Dallas as potential venues for December 14, 2025, per Athlon Sports activities. Ali, who famously retired undefeated in 2007, as soon as said:

“Except someone has $15–20 million, don’t even name me.”

Laila Ali: A Retired Legend’s Legacy

Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs), the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, retired in 2007 with an unblemished report and titles in each the tremendous middleweight and light-weight heavyweight divisions. Notable victories over Jacqui Frazier-Lyde and Christy Martin helped solidify her standing as a pioneer in girls’s boxing.

Her charisma, undefeated report, and household legacy drew huge consideration to the game within the early 2000s. In 2025, her visitor commentary in the course of the Netflix-streamed Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano bout reminded followers of her highly effective presence in and out of doors the ring.

A Feud Years within the Making

The stress between Shields and Ali dates again to 2019 when Ali publicly referred to as Shields “overrated,” prompting Shields to fireplace again that Ali was “essentially the most hated” lady in boxing. The feud escalated with social media jabs and televised interviews. Ali’s unique demand of $15–20 million to think about a comeback appeared like a dismissal—however Shields assembly that value flipped the ability dynamic.

In a July 13, 2025 X put up, Shields added gasoline to the fireplace:

“You not a greater boxer than me & at 175 I’ll put you in your again!”

Now, with hundreds of thousands on the desk, followers marvel if Ali will step into the ring to settle it as soon as and for all.

Shields, Remy Ma & Papoose: The Surprising Superstar Crossover

Exterior the ring, Shields has additionally been caught in a messy public feud involving Remy Ma and her estranged husband, rapper Papoose. The drama unfolded in late 2024 when Remy Ma leaked alleged textual content messages suggesting an affair between Papoose and Shields. Shields responded by defending herself on X and even challenged Remy to a $1 boxing match.

By mid-2025, the saga had escalated. Remy accused Shields of being “Papoose’s come-up,” whereas Shields clapped again, saying:

“I’mma say what I need to say! Sure, we gonna have a household!”

A viral July 13 clip displaying Remy and Fats Joe sitting ringside reverse Shields and Papoose solely amplified hypothesis. Throughout a current efficiency of her tune “Ghetto & Ratchet,” Remy even remixed the lyrics to:

“If I need your man, I’ll take him.”

The Progress of Ladies’s Boxing

This potential Shields-Ali superfight is greater than a private grudge match—it’s a cultural second. The game has seen large progress within the final 5 years. Fighters like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Shields herself have pushed girls’s boxing into the mainstream.

In keeping with Forbes, the Taylor-Serrano struggle on Netflix in early 2025 broke viewership data for a girls’s boxing match. If Shields vs. Ali occurs, it may shatter these numbers—with an anticipated $30–40 million in complete income.

As one fan posted:

“Ladies’s boxing is operating the sport proper now!”

Public Reactions: Cut up, However Hooked

Social media has been buzzing because the announcement. Right here’s what followers are saying:

• “Claressa’s calling Laila’s bluff—that is enormous!”
• “Ali’s a legend, however she’s 47… no manner she accepts.”
• “Disrespecting a legend ain’t it.”
• “Shields received the cash and the resume. Give her that struggle!”

Even rapper Tesehki chimed in:

“If this occurs, I would like a walk-on half. Let me host the undercard!”

Platforms like TMZ, The Shade Room, and HotNewHipHop have stored the hype alive as followers await Ali’s subsequent transfer.

A Historic Feminine Battle

Claressa Shields’ $15 million supply to Laila Ali isn’t nearly boxing—it’s about legacy, energy, and private redemption. As Claressa continues to make a reputation for herself, she proves she isn’t afraid to again it up. Particularly, with regards to getting into he boxing ring with any oponet. Whether or not you’re a fan of sports activities historical past, reality-level movie star feuds, or just rooting for girls taking over house in a male-dominated business, this story delivers. It’s not only a struggle—it’s a second.