Claressa Shields Reveals Laila Ali Is Scared to Combat Her

The thrill round a possible showdown between two feminine boxing legends — Claressa Shields and Laila Ali — has reached a fever pitch in current weeks. Claressa Shields, a dominant power in ladies’s boxing, lately revealed that Laila Ali declined her beneficiant $15 million battle supply, stating that Ali is “scared” to step into the ring together with her.

The general public change started after Laila Ali, who has carved her personal legendary standing in boxing, talked about in an interview that she would battle Claressa — however just for the suitable greenback quantity. Claressa, a no-nonsense competitor, wasted no time responding. She posted a video holding up a $15 million verify made out to Laila Ali, signaling her readiness to battle and defeat Ali within the ring.

This call-out has reignited conversations about one of the anticipated feminine boxing matchups in historical past. Followers and insiders alike are wanting to see if this rivalry will lastly culminate in a bout that might shatter data and additional elevate ladies’s boxing globally.

Claressa Shields: A Historic Profession of Dominance and Information

Claressa Maria Shields, born March 17, 1995, has not solely reshaped the panorama of ladies’s boxing however has additionally firmly established herself as one of many best boxers of all time, male or feminine. Shields has an unprecedented document of 18 main world championships spanning 5 weight lessons. This consists of holding the undisputed feminine mild middleweight title as of March 2021, reclaiming the undisputed feminine middleweight title twice between 2019 and 2024. Most lately, in February 2025, Shields added the World Boxing Group (WBO) feminine mild heavyweight title and the undisputed feminine heavyweight title to her resume, solidifying her as a power throughout a number of divisions.

Shields holds a historic place in boxing as the one athlete, male or feminine, to carry all 4 main world titles — WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO — throughout three weight lessons. Moreover, she ranks because the third feminine boxer ever to change into champion in 5 completely different divisions, becoming a member of the ranks of Amanda Serrano and Naoko Fujioka. Shields additionally boasts the document for turning into a two, three, 4, and five-division world champion within the fewest skilled fights, underscoring her fast rise and dominance.

Her ascent started within the beginner ranks with a embellished profession, highlighted by successful gold medals within the ladies’s middleweight division at each the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. This made her the primary American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals and the primary American lady ever to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. At simply 16 years outdated, she was the youngest boxer to win the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, exhibiting early indicators of her extraordinary expertise and tenacity.

A Trailblazer for Ladies All over the place

Claressa’s skilled accolades embrace a number of “Feminine Fighter of the Yr” awards by the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. Receiving the honour in each 2018 and 2022. Alongside her boxing profession, Shields additionally ventured briefly into skilled combined martial arts. In the end, competing within the Skilled Fighters League, additional demonstrating her versatility and combating spirit.

Ranked because the world’s finest energetic feminine middleweight by BoxRec and acknowledged as the perfect energetic feminine boxer, pound-for-pound, by ESPN and The Ring as of late 2022. Claressa Shields embodies the top of accomplishment and respect in ladies’s boxing at this time.

Her willingness to again up her confidence with a $15 million battle supply to Laila Ali isn’t a surprise given her aggressive nature and historic accomplishments. Shields is hungry to proceed constructing her legacy. Whereas pushing feminine boxing into a brand new period of visibility and monetary reward.

Laila Ali: An Undefeated Legacy in Ladies’s Boxing

Laila Amaria Ali, born December 30, 1977, is an American tv character and retired skilled boxer whose undefeated profession from 1999 to 2007 left an indelible mark on the game. All through her skilled tenure, Ali held a number of world titles. Together with the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA feminine tremendous middleweight championships, in addition to the IWBF mild heavyweight title. She efficiently defended her titles a number of occasions, cementing her status as one of many best feminine boxers in historical past.

Broadly revered inside boxing circles and by followers alike, Laila Ali carries the legacy of her father, the legendary Muhammad Ali. She carved out her personal distinct path within the sport. Additional combining talent, energy, and charisma that captivated audiences and raised the profile of feminine boxing.

Amongst her many accolades, Laila was honored with the AOCA Awakening Excellent Contribution Award in 2012. In the end, recognizing her affect each inside and outdoors the ring. Her reign included two defenses of the WBC World Tremendous Middleweight title between 2005 and 2007. With 5 defenses of the WIBA World Tremendous Middleweight title from 2002 to 2007. She additionally held the IWBF Feminine Gentle Heavyweight title in 2004, and between 2002 and 2004 she defended the IWBF Feminine Tremendous Middleweight title twice. Together with 4 profitable defenses of the IBA Feminine Tremendous Middleweight title.

Laila’s undefeated document and a number of championships replicate not solely her dominance within the ring but in addition her dedication to elevating ladies’s boxing on a world stage. As she considers the opportunity of dealing with Claressa Shields, the boxing group waits with bated breath. Desperate to witness what may very well be the largest feminine boxing showdown in historical past.

What $15 Million Means in Ladies’s Boxing

A $15 million battle supply is groundbreaking in feminine boxing. A sport that has traditionally been underfunded and overshadowed by its male counterpart. For Claressa Shields to place that type of cash on the desk alerts a shift towards larger recognition. Whereas highlighting monetary reward for ladies fighters.

If the battle occurs, it might change into one of many highest-grossing feminine boxing occasions in historical past. Additional, elevating the game’s profile and setting a brand new benchmark for pay fairness in fight sports activities.

Followers are enthusiastic about the opportunity of a significant payday and an unforgettable battle, whereas analysts speculate on how such a match would impression future alternatives for feminine fighters worldwide.

Followers React to the Combat Drama

The continuing back-and-forth has sparked viral debates throughout social media platforms. Many followers are cut up — some facet with Claressa’s boldness, admiring her for calling out a legend like Laila Ali and placing up a large purse. Others admire Laila’s legendary profession and perceive her hesitation about stepping again into such a high-stakes battle.

Tweets, feedback, and on-line boards are buzzing with opinions. With some customers praising Claressa’s hustle and others expressing pleasure for a historic match.

This public dialog highlights the deep ardour followers have for feminine boxing. Along with their starvation to see the game rise to new heights by way of marquee matchups like this one.

What This Combat Might Imply for Ladies’s Boxing

A possible battle between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali isn’t only a bout — it’s a landmark occasion for ladies’s boxing. A showdown of this magnitude might:

• Draw unprecedented consideration and media protection to feminine boxing
• Enhance sponsorship and endorsement alternatives for ladies fighters
• Encourage the following era of feminine athletes worldwide
• Push for larger pay equality inside boxing and fight sports activities

For years, feminine boxing has fought for recognition and respect. A Shields vs. Ali battle with a $15 million purse may very well be a significant step towards reaching that purpose.

Conclusion: Will Laila Ali Step Up?

Whereas Claressa Shields is able to make historical past and claims Laila Ali is scared, solely time will inform if Ali will settle for the monumental problem. The battle wouldn’t solely be a check of talent however a defining second for ladies’s boxing and sports activities equality. As Claressa continues to pave a brand new lane for females within the ring, her energy is felt past boxing.

Followers stay hopeful that these two champions will discover frequent floor and provides the world a battle to recollect. One which cements their legacies and continues the rise of ladies’s boxing as a significant power within the sport.