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.

Claressa Shields Addresses Boxing Suspension Following Positive Marijuana Test

Claressa Shields has been having a tough time following her boxing suspension for testing positive for marijuana.

The 29-year-old appeared on Tamron Hall to explain how her oral mouth swab could have come back positive after her match in Michigan.

“One, the place reeked of marijuana,” Shields explained, describing the venue where the boxing match occurred. “Before I got to do the mouth swab, everybody was hugging and kissing me in Flint. … I know some boxers don’t stop and greet the fans but I’m not one of them. I hugged and kissed everybody back.”

Claressa Shields says she’s never used weed. Did secondhand smoke cause failed drug test?

The saga of boxer Claressa Shields is unfolding.

She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. A three-time undisputed world champion. But, at 29, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman Of All-Time) is facing a question involving her integrity.

Could Shields have tested positive for marijuana even if she never used the drug?

According to Shields, that’s what happened after her last boxing match, a victory over Danielle Perkins Feb. 2 at Dort Financial Center in her hometown of Flint, Michigan. The drug test results have not been publicly released, but Shields has said a saliva test detected “trace” amounts of marijuana, a prohibited substance in competition for professional fighters in Michigan.

Ten days after dominating Perkins in a fight that improved Shields’ record to 16-0 and elevated her to undisputed heavyweight champion came the gut punch. She was suspended by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (MUCC), which regulates boxing in the state, and such discipline generally is upheld by other states.

But she’ll soon get a chance to contest the decision.

On March 6, during a pre-hearing meeting before an assistant attorney general, Shields will request her suspension be revoked, according to her lawyer, David Slutsker. “We will present evidence … and be open to any questioning they have,” Slutsker told USA TODAY Sports. Depending on the outcome, a formal hearing could follow.

For now, Shields faces a 90-day suspension, a possible fine and newly surfaced claims about her possible exposure to the drug.

Other boxers tested positive

Shields was not the only boxer on the Feb. 2 card to test positive for marijuana. Eight of the 16 boxers on that night’s card were drug tested by swab, and three tested positive for marijuana, according to Dmitry Salita, the promoter of the show, and Shields’ attorney, Slutsker.

“That number is highly unusual for a single boxing event, particularly one featuring Claressa and other elite athletes,” Salita said. “Given the circumstances, it’s important to review the testing protocols to ensure consistency and fairness.”

Joe Hicks, a middleweight from Michigan, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that he tested positive for marijuana. Salita said the other boxer who tested positive for marijuana was Skylar Lacy, a heavyweight from Indiana, who did not respond to USA TODAY Sports’ requests for comment left by voicemail, text message and social media.

Hicks, who is 12-0 as a pro boxer, said he worried about potential consequences because he works for an insurance company where “you can lose your job for taking any drugs without a prescription.

“When they called, I was, like, wow,” he said of learning of the results. “I don’t take drugs.”

Adding he was also surprised to hear Shields tested positive, Hicks speculated that marijuana smoke inside the Dort Financial Center in Flint triggered the positive tests.

“Oh man, it was everywhere,” he said. “I’m not exaggerating. … I was getting dressed to take pictures with my family; it was like a big cloud of weed. When you go in the bathroom, it’s just a big cloud of smoke that hits you. You smell nothing but marijuana.”

Marijuana is legal in Michigan but banned at Dort Financial Center. However, Salita and Shields’ manager, Mark Taffet, said the smell was noticeable.

“The hallways smelled horrible,” Taffet said. “… Like where (Shields) took the post-fight (drug) test, that sort of ring of hallway around the building, that smelled terrible.”

Jeremy Torrey, general manager of the Dort Financial Center, declined to comment to USA TODAY Sports.

Secondhand smoke a risk?

Whether secondhand smoke can cause a non-smoker to test positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that produces a psychoactive effect, depends on the exposure conditions, according to a 2015 study published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

The study, which focused on “extreme cannabis smoke exposure conditions tolerable to drug-free nonsmokers,” reported, “Positive tests for THC in oral fluid and blood were obtained for nonsmokers up to (three hours) following exposure.”

But the study also concluded, “positive tests are likely to be rare, limited to the hours immediately post-exposure, and occur only under environmental circumstances where exposure is obvious.”

A 2004 study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology reported, “Passive exposure to cannabis smoke in an unventilated room has been shown to produce a transient appearance of THC in oral fluid for up to 30 (minutes). However, it is well known that such factors as room size and extent of smoke exposure can affect results.”

Salita, the promoter, said, “The amount detected was negligible and consistent with potential secondhand exposure rather than personal use.”

Shields had said the saliva test showed “trace” levels of marijuana in her system, but she has not publicly released the test results.

What Shields may challenge

Victor Conte, who describes himself as a “dietary supplement and training adviser” for Shields, said the boxer told him she had concerns about how her saliva test was administered after her fight Feb. 2.