Claressa Shields, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning undisputed middleweight champion, has long been vocal about her desire to face retired boxer Laila Ali. The potential superfight between the two women has been a topic of discussion for years, but it never came to fruition. However, the conversation has once again resurfaced after Ali expressed her willingness to come out of retirement if offered a staggering $15 million.
The possibility of a Shields vs Ali showdown has been a dream matchup for boxing fans. Both women have made a name for themselves in the sport, with Shields being the only American boxer to win back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics and Ali being the daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali. The anticipation for this fight has been building up for years, and fans have been eagerly waiting for it to happen.
But despite the mutual interest from both fighters, the fight has been stalled due to various reasons. In a recent interview, Ali revealed that she would consider coming out of retirement for a $15 million paycheck. This statement has sparked a response from Shields, who took to social media to throw a $150,000 jab at Ali for stalling the superfight.
Shields posted a video on her Instagram, where she can be seen flaunting a $150,000 check, which she claims to have earned from her recent fight against Marie-Eve Dicaire. In the caption, she called out Ali for demanding $15 million and stated that she would be willing to fight her for just $150,000.
The post by Shields has stirred up a lot of buzz in the boxing world, with fans and experts speculating about the possibility of the fight happening. While Ali has not responded to Shields’ challenge yet, the fact that she is willing to consider a comeback for a hefty paycheck has reignited the conversation about the potential superfight.
But what makes this fight so intriguing? Apart from the obvious fact that it would be a clash between two accomplished and undefeated female boxers, it also holds a significant historical significance. A fight between Shields and Ali would be a battle between two generations of boxing, with Ali representing the old guard and Shields being the face of the new era.
Moreover, the fight would also break barriers in the male-dominated sport of boxing. Both Shields and Ali have been vocal about the lack of opportunities and recognition for female boxers, and a fight between the two would be a step towards breaking the glass ceiling in the sport.
While the talks about the potential superfight have been going on for years, the recent comments by Ali have given a new hope to the fans. With Shields throwing a challenge and Ali considering a comeback, it seems like the stars are aligning for this dream matchup to finally happen.
But the question remains, will the fight actually take place? Negotiations and discussions between the two camps would be crucial in making this fight a reality. And with both fighters being at the top of their game, the financial aspect of the fight would also play a significant role.
However, regardless of whether the fight happens or not, the fact that two accomplished female boxers are even being considered for a superfight is a significant step towards the growth and recognition of women’s boxing. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of these fighters who have paved the way for future generations of female boxers.
In conclusion, the potential superfight between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali has garnered a lot of attention and anticipation from the boxing world. While the fight has been delayed for various reasons, the recent comments by Ali have reignited the conversation about the matchup. Whether the fight happens or not, the fact that two female boxers are being considered for a superfight is a huge step towards breaking barriers in the sport and giving recognition to women’s boxing.
