Claressa Shields’ Resume Downplayed as Massive Fight Build Up to Expectations

Two months from now, when she steps into the ring in Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena, Claressa Shields may have one thought to brood over. While confident that she will win the fight, there could be some pressure to secure an emphatic win. If she has to counter Cris Cyborg‘s stinging claim, Shields will have to knock out Lani ‘Smiling Assassin’ Daniels when they meet on July 26.

The mixed martial arts legend, who returned to boxing last January after a two-year break, knocked out Seattle-born Precious Harris-McCray in San Jose. Given their past back-and-forth, which saw her calling out Claressa Shields on several occasions, Cris Cyborg didn’t waste time taunting a rival she’s seemingly been jostling with for space in the women’s boxing landscape.

One step ahead!!

Cris Cyborg was responding to a post that featured her victory over Harris-McCray. So tagging Claressa Shields, she said, “Only 5 boxing fights, but I’ve already got more KO’s than @Claressashields.” So reportedly, the fight, part of a martial arts event in San Jose’s Tech CU Arena, was organized by Scott Coker and Gilbert Melendez. The half-minute-long footage from the second round showed Cyborg pummeling her opponent. Harris-McCray looked totally confused and perhaps dazed. Finally, it took the referee to step in between and save Precious Harris-McCray from further misery.

In the second stretch of her boxing career, where she fought five times, Cris Cyborg ended four through early stoppage. Now, in comparison, Claressa Shields, who has thus far faced sixteen opponents in her nearly decade-long career, could oust only three early in the fight.

Cris Cyborg’s latest jab follows the mocks when the online back-and-forth between Claressa Shields and the Amanda Serrano-Alycia Baumgardner combination went viral.

Not everything is as it appears

In one instance, questioning the needless comparison between her and Shields, Serrano pointed at the futility of their much-talked-about matchup. She said, “I will never go over 140 lb., which is already 3 divisions past my best weight of 126, where I’m champion & I believe she can’t make 140.”

So Cyborg promptly added a jibe, “Apparently she can no longer make 154 either 😂😂😂😅. Likewise, once Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) shared a clip. It featured Alycia Baumgardner and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian fielding questions on a potential face-off against Shields. Cyborg once again jeered, “😂 @Claressashields ate herself out of fights fans care about.”

It was on February 2 that Claressa Shields became undisputed women’s heavyweight champion. For her first title defense, she is facing a reigning IBF light heavyweight champion. In previous interviews, Shields made it amply clear that she cannot go below 154 pounds. Cris Cyborg’s latest bout was at light middleweight. So if Shields is willing to drop down to 154 pounds, then, to end the debate, a fight appears feasible.

Nonetheless, Cyborg should note. Staying ahead of Shields merely because she scored more knockouts may not present a compelling argument. With two Olympic gold medals and multi-division championship wins, Shields is an all-time great. If not for her ability to pack off opponents, she is widely admired for her technical skills.

Fans should watch out. Claressa Shields rarely waits long before firing back.

What’s your take? Do you think a fight between Claressa Shields and Cris Cyborg might prove a big draw?

Cris Cyborg Calls Out Claressa Shields After TKO Win: ‘I’ve Got More KOs in 5 Fights’

Claressa Shields has carved out a legendary path in the world of boxing. Undefeated with a 16-0 record, she’s a multi-division world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Despite her dominance in the ring, she’s often drawn criticism for her knockout ratio—just three of her sixteen wins have come by stoppage. And now, one UFC icon who fought last night had some choice words about that—sparking a fresh round of drama that could shake up the entire combat sports world.

Cris Cyborg, fresh off a first-round TKO win over Precious Harris-McCray at Fight Night 3 in San Jose, took to social media and threw verbal jabs at Claressa Shields. The tweet was blunt: ‘Only 5 boxing fights but I’ve already got more KO’s than @Claressashields’. That post alone made waves—but the context behind it makes it even louder.

Cyborg’s win over Precious Harris-McCray marked the 20th anniversary of her combat sports debut, a milestone few athletes ever reach. The co-main event at the Tech CU Arena saw Cyborg bulldoze her opponent in the opening round, earning her fifth professional boxing victory—and her fourth by knockout.

The rivalry between the two isn’t new. They’ve sparred together in the past and had a public fallout afterward. Their exchanges, often fiery, have largely centered around weight. Cyborg has called for fights at 147 pounds, while Shields has aimed closer to her standard boxing weights of 160–168 lbs. The tension, though rooted in sportsmanship, has become a battle of legacy and leverage.

Whether this latest shot reignites serious talks for a crossover bout or just keeps the feud alive online, one thing is clear: Cyborg isn’t done making noise in the fight game. With both women being marquee names in their respective sports, a matchup between Cyborg and Shields could generate massive buzz and deliver one of the biggest crossover events in recent memory.