Heavyweight Undisputed Champion Claressa Shields’ power and resilience are undeniable. Shields has arguably ‘been that girl’ in her arena as a four-time undisputed boxer and 17-time world champion who earned a gold medal at 17 at the 2012 Olympics.

Nevertheless, as a woman in the boxing industry, she has had to go up against opponents like unfair pay and double standards in sports marketing. Having won the gold twice and countless championship titles before turning 30 this month, Shields is now training herself as a businesswoman and entrepreneur outside of the ring and strategizing ways to help other women in the sport reach the million-dollar mark for their talent.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Shields strongly desired to win and create a new life for herself and her family. In 2024, parts of her life were depicted in the autobiographical motion picture The Fire Inside, directed by Rachel Morrison, starring Ryan Destiny, and screen-written and produced by Barry Jenkins. Through the film, people get to step into a flashback of Shields’ life while on her journey of overcoming adversity to become who she is today, the greatest woman boxer of all time.

The Fire Within

When asked where she draws her power, Shields said, “I come from a strong family and line of powerful women. I’m inspired by representation, too. When I was growing up, I looked up to Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Anne Wolf, and Laila Ali. They showed me that women could be successful in sports.”

Having created a successful career, Shields became the first woman boxer to earn $1 million in 2022 in a two-fight deal with British broadcaster Sky Sports. Three years later, she was still fighting for equal opportunities and was paid similarly to her male counterparts. She has also scored sponsorships and partnerships with brands such as Bose, Dicks Sporting Goods, Celsius, Everlast, and Ethika.

“I’m a 17-time world champion, the only four-time undisputed champion in boxing three different weight classes. If you watch boxing, and you watch me, you know that my skills are unmatched,” said Shields.

In 2023, CBS reported, “TV and streaming deals are 10 to 20 times more lucrative for men than women, according to Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita. Male boxers make about $3 million per fight while female fighters just recently started getting seven figures for a night in the ring, while some earn more and many make much less.”

Punching Above Her and Winning In Every Weight Class

On February 2, Shields sold out an arena of x people in her hometown of Flint, where she defeated Danielle Perkins and became the first-ever women’s undisputed heavyweight champion and the only three-division undisputed champion, male or female, of the four-belt era. That night, she earned $1.5 million.

However, as one of the few women to cross the million-dollar threshold, Shields wants more money, opportunities to be on high-profile fighting cards, and advancement among her peers in the sport.

“I want bigger paydays, bigger opportunities, and to be able to fight on some of these main cards with the men – even if it’s being a co-main event. I’m fighting for women boxers’ recognition for their accolades and greatness. I’ve been taking huge strides and bringing a couple of girls along with me, so we are getting somewhere, said Shields. In addition to that, she aspires to fight on a big card. “I would love to fight on the undercard of Terence Crawford versus Canelo Álverez in September co-main event TV opener.”

In the meantime, instead of asking for what’s next, she’s creating it.

Create What’s Next

“When negotiating something and you don’t get it, you must create it. If you want wealth, and they won’t give you opportunities, create your own wealth. Figure out different avenues to make your own money,” said Shields.

With two Olympic gold medals, world titles, and nothing left to prove, Shields is creating new revenue streams by leaning into her creativity while building her personal brand. As her brand grows, Shields believes that access to opportunities in boxing and outside of the sport will present themselves.

“There’s nothing else I can do inside boxing to earn an equal pay day as the men. I’ve done everything as a 17-time champion and four-time undisputed boxer in the history of the sport. I fought for a million dollars a couple of times. I must keep good at my brand outside the ring and become a big star. People respect numbers,” said Shields.

She has amassed over a million followers on social media and began documenting her life outside the ring as an artist on YouTube. She’s earning thousands of dollars as a creator on the platform and is focused on creating her own doors and table.

Focus

“There have been months where I earn $5,500 on YouTube, and I knew that if I posted more, I could get up to $10,000,” said Shields. To move the needle on her earnings, she said the key is to focus and silence the noise of others.

“Focus on the positive. When you are entertaining negativity, it distracts you from your greatness,” said Shields.

Money management is another key focus for Shields. The investment to train, be promoted, and invest in your holistic well-being comes with a hefty price tag and financial discipline.

“Money management is something many people lack in every category regardless of what sport you’re in. Everything costs. Nobody works for you for free. Everyone gets paid – from publicists to hairstylists, makeup artists, lawyers, and managers,” emphasized Shields. “When I make money, I save 75 percent and play with 25 percent.” Being financially sound has allowed Shields to sustain herself at different levels of her career.

Paying It Forward

When she is not in the ring or building her brand, Shields finds time to give back through her non-profit organization, The Claressa Shields Community Outreach Program. Youth in the program learn to leverage the discipline and skill development from boxing and apply it to their daily lives to combat trauma and build mental fortitude.

“I remember being told me that boxing wasn’t for girls. I was 13 years old, yelling, ‘I’m going to the Olympics in four years.’ People laughed at me. I turned 17 and went to the Olympics, and I won a gold medal,” said Shields.

She often shares her story with youth to inspire them as they train their minds and bodies. Her message to others is, “Don’t be afraid to be different or let people discourage you. Your dreams are not for other people to understand.”

Before the error was revealed, the World Boxing organization threatened to strip Shields’ title.

Claressa Shields wants folks to keep the same energy, and she’s calling everybody out until they do so. The newly named boxing Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world made recent headlines after a drug test came back positive for marijuana, but turns out, everything isn’t exactly how it seems.

On Tuesday (March 18), the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs confirmed the positive marijuana test was actually inaccurate. According to Baller Alert, the false positive was due to a procedural error during the sampling process. So now, Shields’ name has been cleared, but she wants everyone to remember exactly how they treated her before she had a chance to prove her innocence.

“Officially unsuspended ! But y’all a little quiet! Y’all was real loud about me ‘supposedly’ smoking marijuana and being suspended,” Shields wrote on X after the discrepancy was revealed. “And still an Undisputed heavyweight champ! I have the Order to prove it,” she continued saying.

But if you thought a tweet was the end of Shields’ call out, you’d be mistaken. “Let me give it up to God again for proving what I already knew,” she later said on Instagram live. “They had us smeared all over these big networks,” she continued before asking “do it look like I need some damn weed?”

The 30-year-old champion was suspended following her win over Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2. Ever since then, Shields has been doing all she can to clear her name. But despite her now proven innocent, she hasn’t forgotten how the media treated her.

“Mannn listen every network that posted I was suspended for a positive Marijuana test, YOU BETTER POST THAT IT WAS AN ERROR WITH A FAULTY TEST!” She continued on X. “Y’all Just ready to report anything bad on me! Y’all ain’t never gonna have nothing on me! Give it up! I’m going to always Win,” she declared.

But wait… there’s more. The athlete also called out the World Boxing Organization for threatening to remove her title. “I’ve been a champion for y’all organization for many years so to threaten to strip me for my title that I worked VERY HARD FOR & not stand behind me and supporting me til I atleast had a chance to prove my innocence! That was FOUL,” she said.

The organization has not responded to Shields’ demands yet, but it doesn’t look like she’s willing to give them any leeway until they do so. For now, the fiery boxer can revel in the fact that she was telling the truth all along. Fans of Shields are ready for her next fight to be scheduled now that she’s been unsuspended.

Claressa Shields has built an extraordinary legacy in boxing, but her personal life has recently eclipsed her athletic achievements in public discourse.

The multi-division world champion finds herself at the center of controversy due to her relationship with Brooklyn rapper Papoose and the involvement of his estranged wife, Remy Ma. While Shields’ dominance in the ring remains undisputed, her private life has become the subject of intense speculation, fueled by social media and celebrity gossip.

During a recent appearance on Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, the conversation took an unexpected turn when host Keke Palmer asked Shields, “When are you going to knock out Remy Ma?”

The question, though playful, underscored the intrigue surrounding Shields’ entanglement with Papoose and Remy Ma. Palmer’s blunt inquiry mirrored the ongoing discussions that have kept fans and media fixated on the unfolding drama.

Shields’ romance with Papoose surfaced publicly in 2024, shocking many who had long associated the rapper with his marriage to Remy Ma. The revelation ignited widespread debate, particularly after Remy Ma confirmed the affair via social media.

What followed was a media firestorm dissecting the complicated relationships among the three figures. The situation intensified when Shields and Papoose began making more frequent public appearances together, including at Hawaii Fest in early 2025, signaling that their relationship was far from a fleeting rumor.

Despite the controversy, Shields has largely maintained her composure, focusing on her boxing career while selectively addressing the speculation. Her ability to navigate the chaos with poise has only added to the public’s fascination. The dynamic between Shields, Papoose, and Remy Ma has evolved into an ongoing narrative, captivating audiences beyond the sports and music industries.

Palmer’s question, though lighthearted, reignited interest in the situation, reinforcing how Shields’ personal life has become as much of a headline-grabber as her accolades in the ring. While some fans saw the humor in the moment, others interpreted it as a reflection of the unresolved tensions at play. The exchange demonstrated how Shields, despite her fierce reputation in boxing, now finds herself battling an entirely different kind of public scrutiny.

As speculation continues, one thing remains certain: Claressa Shields commands attention, whether in the ring or in the headlines. While her relationship with Papoose fuels debate, her resilience—both professionally and personally—remains a defining trait.

Regardless of how this chapter in her life unfolds, Shields’ legacy in boxing is secure, but her personal narrative ensures she will remain a central figure in cultural discussions for the foreseeable future.

Ryan Garcia is finally making his return to the ring after a long layoff. The reason? A year ago, he tested positive for the PED ostarine. Even though he dropped Devin Haney three times in their April fight, the whole thing got wiped off the record as a no-contest. And just like that, Garcia found himself sidelined for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission. But now? The suspension will be over in April, and he’ll be back in business.

In just two months, he’ll headline His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s first-ever Ring Magazine USA event at Times Square in New York. He’s set to face former WBA junior welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in the main event of Fatal Fury, while Devin Haney takes on Jose Ramirez in the co-main event. Moreover, Teofimo Lopez will also defend his WBO and Ring junior welterweight belts against Arnold Barboza Jr.

Now, here’s where things get spicy. With the fight night less than two months away, both Garcia and Haney were recently in New York to promote the event. It all started when the host of the press conference asked Haney’s opponent if he thinks The Dream has a good enough chin after suffering three knockdowns against Ryan Garcia. Jose Ramirez replied that he plans to test Haney’s chin. “Of course, I’m gonna test his chin. It’s my job,” Ramirez responded. This set Haney off, and he shot back immediately. His response to the apparent disrespect is what prompted Claressa Shields to chime in with her take.

Earlier today, she took to her X and said, “Facts,” resharing a post by the Ring Magazine. The post from the Ring Magazine read, “Devin Haney dismisses suggestions he could be ‘chinny’ and takes a jab at Ryan Garcia”. It shared what the 26-year-old responded during the Fatal Fury Press Conference in New York. Fumed by the insinuations, he had fired back: “I don’t understand what you mean by chin. I got up every single time against someone who was on PEDs. So I showed I got a chin.” But that wasn’t all.

Funny enough, despite being free to fight, The Dream has also stayed away from the ring since their April showdown. Instead, he’s been biding his time, waiting for the right opponent and the perfect moment to make his return. Originally, he had his sights set on a March comeback, but fate had other plans. Now, with a shot at taking down the 32-year-old Ramirez, the 26-year-old is feeling confident. However, despite their animosity, other than the above statement, the two long-time rivals, Garcia and Haney, surprisingly kept it very civil during the press conference. The reason?

Ryan Garcia is trying to stay clear of legal issues

A few hours before the press conference, Ryan Garcia sat down with The Ring. Naturally, the conversation turned to him and Devin Haney sharing the same card on May 2 in Times Square. The reporter pointed out how both fighters have kept it “classy” during the recent press events, despite their long-standing beef. “He is suing me,” the Victorville native stated as the reason for him not indulging Haney in any trash-talk. The 26-year-old even joked, “Everything I’ve said is now used against me.” At one point, he called Haney a “bi**h”, then laughed it off like, “maybe he’ll sue me for saying that. Who knows, he might use that in the deposition.”

The way Ryan Garcia sees it, Devin Haney’s more focused on legal paperwork than throwing punches. And honestly? Ryan Garcia is over the trash talk. If Haney beats Jose Ramirez and Garcia takes down Rolly Romero, we’re looking at a rematch that fans have been dying to see since their first bout in April last year. But this time, no more words—just fists flying. “I don’t have to say anything more. I already proved it. I already beat his a**,” Ryan Garcia declared defiantly. It seems this cold war will continue for a while, at least until the two manage to do away with their current opponents come fight night in May.

So, what do you think? Who wins the rematch?

Claressa Shields Takes 4-Word Dig at Amanda Serrano After Jake Paul Spends Over $4.5M To Break Ronda Rousey’s UFC Record

When Amanda Serrano entered her first professional fight in 2009, it was on the back of a measly $1200 payment. Having come from a boxing background that could hardly be described as traditional, her long journey often included—but was not limited to—financial hardships. After her family moved to New York in the early 1990s, Serrano remembers passing by the Madison Square Garden a couple hundred times. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine that would be the same building where she’d make history in 2022 with a first women headlined fightcard against Katie Taylor. But looks like Serrano’s not done making history, and neither is Clarissa Shields done taking shots…

Fondly calling herself the GWOAT, Claressa Shields (16-0-0, 3 KOs) has always been a notch above the rest. Talk about two Olympic gold medals (2012 and 2016), being the only undisputed champion (man or woman) in three different divisions in the four-belt era, or being a former unified super middleweight champion, and the list doesn’t end. Yet, her reception has to mega stardom has been slow—many will agree. So, frustrations are bound to boil over, as they often do, featuring Shields’ classic I don’t care mentality, and hostility wrapped in humor. The same happened after Serrano made rewrote history once again.

On March 5, Jake Paul announced to the world that the Puerto Rican would “become the highest paid woman in sports history for a single event. ALL SPORTS” when she participates in the third fight of the trilogy against Taylor on July 11. And only a day later, the GWOAT took to X to tweet some choice words.

In the first tweet, Shields mentioned, “I only talk to undefeated fighters! If you’re not undefeated, please don’t talk to me! I’m bout to call Mayweather 🏆👸🏾👑,” the 29-year-old wrote. Promptly, a fan responded to her, urging her to take up a bout against Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) by cutting weight. “You see cyborg calling serrano the gwoat? You gotta step down and get at her,” the fan wrote—a statement whose legitimacy cannot be guaranteed. However, ‘T-Rex’ remained undeterred and laughed off the prospect of facing Serrano. “She not undefeated either 😂😂,” Shields answered back, making her stance clear about her counterpart. Notably, this is just one dig directed amid a slew of statements the Olympian made toward the upcoming fight.

A day earlier, Paul had shared another tweet showcasing a poster of the two fighters. One X user had shared the update and tagged Shields, asking, “Will @Claressashields be included?? 👀” The fighter replied back with her usual swagger, “I fight main events sugar. I actually have a big one planned.” 

Then in January this year, talking about a potential between her and Serrano, Shields had once again firmly rejected it while taking a dig, in an interview DAZN boxing. She stated how Serrano “will not fight me at any weight class, even if I was to make 140 or 147.”

As for the Puerto Rican phenom—who signed a lifetime deal with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions in 2021—she is hardly going to lose any sleep over it, given the massive payday waiting for her. July 11 will see her earn more than Ronda Rousey‘s staggering $4.5 million payday for her UFC 193 fight in 2015 vs Holly Holm, which the latter won with a knockout. While the exact figure has not been disclosed, several reports say it will be more that the $6 million Taylor will be taking home. And as expected, the fighter didn’t leave any stones unturned when thanking her boss for it.

Talking about Jake, Serrano said, “Jake coming into my life and into my career. He changed it 100 per cent…My first fight with Jake Paul was the biggest payday that I ever received, and he decided that he wanted to do that for all the fighters on the card, and from there, it just kept getting bigger and bigger.”

On a separate note, that’s not the only thing Claressa Shields is in the headlines for…

Claressa Shields facing suspension over a banned substance

Claressa Shields is probably the greatest female boxer of all time. The Flint, Michigan native has been an absolute trailblazer in female boxing.

But, the 29-year-old finds her reputation in dire straits at the moment as she is facing suspension after her last fight- a unanimous decision win over Danielle Perkins earlier this last month. After the fight, it was revealed that ‘T-Rex’ tested positive in an oral sample for marijuana, which has led to her being handed a suspension by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission from fighting in the state for the time being.

The fighter has maintained that she did not ingest marijuana and claims that the positive test may be because of second-hand smoke she inhaled at the venue. “The place [Dort Financial Center] reeked of marijuana. And then, before I got to do the mouth swab, everybody was hugging and kissing me in Flint. Everybody there—my cousins, sister, brother, friends—everybody was hugging and kissing me. And I know some boxers don’t stop and greet the fans, but I’m not one of them. I hugged and kissed everybody back,” she told Tamron Hall in a recent interview.

Shields has appealed the suspension and has thirty days to clear her name. Having said that, what do you think about Claressa Shields’ take on Amanda Serrano-Katie Taylor 3?

Claressa Shields’ Future Fights: Marshall Rematch, Laila Ali Exhibition.

Claressa Shields’ Future Fights: Rematch with Savannah Marshall or Exhibition with Laila Ali?

Dmitriy Salita, the longtime promoter of Claressa Shields, has proposed two exciting potential future events for the undefeated boxing champion. These include a rematch with Savannah Marshall and a highly anticipated exhibition bout with Laila Ali, the Hall of Fame boxer and daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali.

Shields Defends Undisputed Title and Faces Controversy

Claressa Shields, who is 16-0 with 3 KOs, most recently triumphed over Danielle Perkins in a unanimous decision during her homecoming in Flint, Michigan. This victory secured her position as the undisputed heavyweight titleholder in women’s boxing.

However, after the fight, Shields tested positive for marijuana in a post-fight drug test conducted by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission. She and her team are contesting the result, though the issue hasn’t caused any major setbacks to her career so far.

Rematch with Savannah Marshall: A Natural Next Step?

Salita views a potential rematch with Savannah Marshall as a logical and exciting option. The two previously faced off in 2022, with Shields winning by unanimous decision in Marshall’s home country of the United Kingdom. Despite the interest in a rematch, there are some complications:

• Marshall has not fought since July 2023, when she defeated Franchon Crews-Dezurn via majority decision.
• Marshall appears to be focusing more on MMA, having recently participated in a mixed martial arts event where she stopped Mirela Vargas in the first round.

Salita suggests that if the rematch were to happen, it would need to take place in the United States, as Shields had to travel across the Atlantic for the original fight in England.

“The fight with Savannah Marshall is a natural one that we’d love to make,” Salita told BoxingScene. “Claressa did go to England, thousands of miles away from home, in the peak of her career. Savannah would have to accept the fact that, for the fight to happen, it would have to be in the United States in order for us to seriously consider it.”

Laila Ali Exhibition: A Major Event for Women’s Boxing

In addition to the Marshall rematch, Salita has also proposed an exhibition match with Laila Ali. Although an exhibition would not be a title bout, it would be a groundbreaking event for women’s sports, bringing attention to women’s boxing on a larger scale.

“An exhibition with Laila Ali would be fantastic for women’s sports and women’s boxing,” said Salita. “Laila might also be the best available contender.”

This match would draw immense attention due to Ali’s legendary status in the boxing world, and it could also further boost Shields’ profile as she continues to gain popularity.

Claressa Shields was compelled to relinquish one of her titles. She had to choose which of her WBO crowns to hold on to. The American boxer has opted to vacate her light heavyweight title while holding on to her heavyweight crown.

“Regarding the WBO Female Light Heavyweight Division, de advised Claressa Shields has relinquished her WBO Light heavyweight title,” Olivieri posted on social media. “Per our rules, No WBO Champion may hold titles in two different weight divisions simultaneously. Therefore, Shields remains the champion in the heavyweight division,” read the post.

Shields who now faces allegations of marijuana use, vacated her lightweight title

Claressa Shields was compelled to relinquish one of her titles. She had to choose which of her WBO crowns to hold on to. The American boxer has opted to vacate her light heavyweight title while holding on to her heavyweight crown.

“Regarding the WBO Female Light Heavyweight Division, de advised Claressa Shields has relinquished her WBO Light heavyweight title,” Olivieri posted on social media. “Per our rules, No WBO Champion may hold titles in two different weight divisions simultaneously. Therefore, Shields remains the champion in the heavyweight division,” read the post.

The 29-year-old won by unanimous decision, dominating fellow American Perkins and knocking her down with a powerful right hand with seconds left in the 10th and final round. Claressa out-pointed Danielle Perkins early last month to claim all the belts in the highest category.

Shields has also been undisputed world champion at middleweight and light-middleweight.

“It feels unbelievable,” said Shields, who improved her record to 16-0.

“I had a really hard training camp. And just last Friday I tore my labrum in my left shoulder, so I wasn’t able to use my good jab today.

Besides, she became the first female boxer to attain undisputed status in three weight divisions. It was truly a notable accomplishment as the ‘GWOAT’ dominated her opponent in front of a packed home fan-base at the Dort Financial Centre in Flint, Michigan. However, these accolades may not hold if the claims of failed drug test are substantiated

Shields won the vacant WBO heavyweight title – and a couple of other vacant belts to become the undisputed heavyweight champion – on February 2 with her unanimous decision over Danielle Perkins.

“But I didn’t want to call the fight off because I had asked God to give me a big fight in my hometown. He did that. So, I decided to keep going through with it.

“I feel so happy. And shout out to my opponent, Danielle Perkins. Man, that girl was strong as hell,” said Shields after the fight.

The 29-year-old native of Flint, Michigan, moved to 16-0 (3 KOs), and added to a career that has also included becoming undisputed twice at middleweight and once at junior middleweight, plus winning titles at 168lbs and 175lbs.

Elsewhere, Shields tested positive for marijuana from a mouth swab test. However, Shields and her team are adamant she was the victim of second-hand smoke in the arena.

Michigan’s athletic commission says Shields tested positive for marijuana after the Perkins fight. Though, Shields says she has never used marijuana – which is not a performance-enhancing drug – and suggested her positive test may have come from second-hand smoke in the arena or contact with other people on fight night. She has appealed her suspension, and the head of the Association of Boxing Commissions has criticized the Michigan commission.

“On February 13, 2025, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, on behalf of the Unarmed Combat Commission, notified the WBC that an oral fluid sample collected from WBC World Champion Claressa Shields tested positive for the presence of marijuana [THC]. The Michigan Commission had collected a sample from Champion Shield after her February 2, 2025, title defence against Daniella Perkins,” noted a statement.