The greatness of Claressa Shields is undeniable. She is the best in the world right now, and there is no debating that. Her journey through the boxing world has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing her unparalleled work ethic and resilience. Shields’ recent victory, however, sparks the question, is there a woman on earth right that can go toe to toe with Claressa Shields? Is there a female boxer that can knockout or even knockdown the self-proclaimed GWOAT?
Shields, known for her dedication, reportedly put on 15 lbs of muscle to move up in weight class. However, To make the 175 lb weight limit needed to earn the light heavyweight title, she then dropped 5 lbs. This effort culminated in her claiming the WBO light heavyweight championship. Shields delivered a stunning performance, knocking down Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse three times and securing a TKO victory at the 1:09 mark in the second round. With this win, Shields captured world titles in her fourth and fifth weight classes.
In her new weight class, Shields was surprised by her newfound punching power. As the undisputed middleweight champion (160 lbs), she often won by outclassing her opponents, typically going the distance. The increase in power was evident, and Shields acknowledged it post-fight, saying, “The newfound power does feel good. It f—ing shocked me. I’m not going to lie.”
Shields’ claim to be the greatest of all time (GWOAT) remains contested, especially when compared to the legendary Laila Ali. Ali, who retired undefeated with a record of 24-0, 21 KOs, set a high bar. She even expressed a willingness to come out of retirement to face Shields, a declaration that sparked considerable debate. While Shields still has some way to go to match Ali’s KO record, her willingness to take on all challengers is evident. She often engages with critics on social media, proving her confidence and readiness to defend her title both in and out of the ring.
Shields’ approach and demeanor are reminiscent of Deontay Wilder during his prime—unrelenting and powerful. However, unlike Wilder, who was eventually humbled by Tyson Fury, Shields’ comprehensive skill set makes her a formidable opponent. Her dedication to boxing is clear, as seen in her training sessions with NFL WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, teaching him to protect himself against punches.
Every great athlete faces a moment of humility. For Shields, this moment may still be on the horizon. Comparisons to Floyd Mayweather, who remained undefeated in the ring but faced personal challenges outside of it, suggest that Shields might also remain unchallenged within the ring for now. With her added power, she is poised to continue her reign, knocking out opponents with newfound ferocity.
Who can humble Claressa Shields? The answer remains unclear, but one thing is certain—her dominance in the ring is a testament to her skill, dedication, and unyielding spirit. For now, Shields stands unchallenged, the reigning champion, with a bright and powerful future ahead of her.
Note: Headline Photo Adopted Claressa Shields IG
