“Women fight each other”: Claressa Shields compares Laila Ali unfavorably to Muhammad Ali after rejecting $15 million fight offer

Claressa Shields says Laila Ali is turning down her challenge despite huge fan interest in seeing the two boxing stars face each other. Claressa Shields widely known as the G.W.O.A.T. told TMZ Sports in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 8, that she went out of her way to meet Laila Ali’s demands but was still told “no.

” Claressa Shields said she believes fear is the reason, and while she respects that choice, she is now ready to focus on other opponents and keep her career moving forward.

Claressa Shields explains why Laila Ali won’t get in the ring

When Claressa Shields, 30, was spotted arriving at lunch in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, rapper Papoose, TMZ Sports asked her for an update on the potential super fight.

Claressa Shields said clearly, “Layla and her representatives have told us no. Like, the answer is ‘no.’ She doesn’t want to fight.” She added, “I would understand if she was scared — I would be scared to fight me too.”Claressa Shields revealed that Laila Ali had previously said she would need $15 million to come out of retirement for the fight. Shields claims she secured that amount, but Laila Ali still declined. “I thought she was serious when she talked about it,” Shields said. “But now it’s all backpedaling.”

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Claressa Shields talks legacy, respect and change in women’s boxing

Claressa Shields also reflected on the state of women’s boxing today compared to when Laila Ali was active.

“We’re in a generation now where the women fight each other,” Shields said. “We don’t duck each other. And back in [Laila’s] generation, that’s all she did.”She went further, comparing Laila’s response to her late father’s legacy. “Absolutely, listen, Muhammad Ali would never. Her daddy would never. If you called out Muhammad Ali, he came to check you, and he was coming to lay hands on you. Maybe she doesn’t have that in her genes,” Shields remarked.Claressa Shields, who holds multiple world titles, says she will now turn her attention to other high-level fights. While many fans had hoped to see Claressa Shields and Laila Ali in the ring together, the champion says she won’t wait around for a fight that will never happen.