Claressa Shields has done everything anyone could imagine in a boxing ring, and the 30-year-old future Hall of Famer is in search of the biggest bags possible. And she will call just about any name to get it—Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, and Laila Ali included.
Shields’ longstanding feud with fellow legend and daughter of Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali, got another layer added this past weekend.
Ali worked the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano event in New York as an analyst, and she did an excellent job, but she couldn’t escape the Shields question. What would it take for her to fight Shields, as the two have talked about a potential fight hear and there for years?
Ali didn’t sound overly interested in the idea, but she did say she’d consider it if offered $15–$20 million. For that much money, who wouldn’t consider it?
Shields was also at the fight, though not part of the broadcast at all—which was a shame considering it was the greatest all-women’s boxing event ever, and Shields is, by most accounts, the GOAT.
When Shields got wind of Ali’s comments, she took to social media to call her out and even called herself “the Greatest,” in a jab at her dad.
Shields took some criticism for pursuing a fight against a 47-year-old, but she shot back with a whataboutism aimed at Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
In reality, the two situations are different but still probably equal overall. Tyson is 31 years older than Paul, but the latter is far less experienced despite his rapid improvement since turning pro.
The age gap is obviously smaller between Shields and Ali, but in this instance, the younger fighter is much more accomplished, and you could argue, dangerous proportionately.
It’s all likely a moot point.
Ali has not responded—at least not on social media. However, that’s par for the course, considering she hasn’t posted on X since 2023. If you look at Ali’s Instagram, it barely looks like the account of a person who used to box, let alone someone who is the child of the most famous fighter in history.
The money would be enticing—if it gets astronomical—but Ali looks too happy and content with her life outside the ring to seriously consider fighting again.
I’d still say there is about a 5–10% chance this ever happens, but you can’t fault Shields for trying to set up a fight that would probably earn her more than every other fight she’s had combined.
Shields’ next fight is on July 26, when she defends her undisputed heavyweight title against 37-year-old Lani Daniels. It looks like another wildly lopsided matchup that Shields is bound to handle without much issue.
She put on a show dismantling and dropping Danielle Perkins in her last fight. Based on what I’ve seen from Daniels, it is hard to imagine the outcome being much different. In any case, I’ll be watching and covering the fight.
