Claressa Shields, the undisputed world champion in women’s boxing, has made a bold statement about her strength and abilities, particularly when it comes to sparring with men. Known for her confidence and powerful performances, Shields recently opened up about her physical prowess, especially at heavyweight, in a candid conversation.
Shields explained, “I am a lot stronger. I am strong as hell at heavyweight. And I know that from how I punch the pads, from the guys I’m sparring with, their reactions when we get tied up in sparring, how I’m pushing them back.” Her recognition of her own strength is backed by her extensive experience in the ring and the intense training regimen she follows. “I got pretty big shoulders and a pretty big back. And I’m actually super strong at heavyweight,” she stated, asserting her physical dominance.
Despite the concerns some may have about her speed, Shields remains confident that she hasn’t lost her edge. “I still got my speed, which we were worried about. But, hey, it’s still there. And everything’s good.” This balance of strength and speed is part of what makes Shields a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world, regardless of her sparring partners’ size.
This revelation comes after Shields made headlines for her strong opinions about the lack of skill in certain stars, including social media personality and boxer Jake Paul. She has publicly dismissed the idea that Paul could match up with her in the ring. Shields made it clear, “I don’t think Jake Paul has the skills to get inside the ring with me, or any of the guys at 154 pounds and up who are ranked in the rankings.” She doubled down on this during a recent interview with DAZN’s Akin Reyes, confidently stating that she would defeat him in a fight—”absolutely” in ten-ounce gloves with no headgear.
Shields, a champion with 18 years of boxing experience, emphasized the difference between herself and Paul. “The biggest and strongest man doesn’t win all the fights,” she argued, pointing to her technical skills as the deciding factor in a matchup. “I’ve been boxing for 18 years. 18,” she reminded her audience, underscoring the depth of her expertise.
This confidence is not only in her own abilities but in her belief that her technical skills far outweigh the physical advantages of others, including men in the ring. “I’ve got you, he’s got a d—, I’ve got a vagina. I get it. But what about the skills I have?” she said, posing a rhetorical question about the real value of skill in the sport.
While Shields’ self-assured statements and readiness to take on any challenge are integral parts of her persona, she has also found herself at the center of controversy. A video recently resurfaced of Latvian boxer Arturs Ahmetovs allegedly knocking her down during a sparring session in 2018. In response, Shields claimed that the gloves used were tampered with, a claim supported by her coach and others who inspected the gloves and found them lacking padding.
Shields’ response to the situation was unequivocal, calling Ahmetovs and his coach “liars” and “cheats.” “You know damn well the gloves didn’t have padding,” she said, further asserting that this unsportsmanlike conduct was an attempt to undermine her reputation and career. “I’ve never been knocked out in 17 years,” Shields proudly stated. “But for a male fighter to literally take the padding out his gloves, he’s a punk.”
The incident with Ahmetovs only adds to the narrative of Shields’ determination to protect her reputation and maintain her standing in the world of boxing, even as she faces off against male sparring partners and challenges like glove tampering.
Shields’ dominance in the ring, both in terms of skill and physical strength, underscores her belief that gender is not a barrier to success in combat sports. She is a force to be reckoned with, and her statements only further solidify her place as one of the most accomplished and confident boxers in the world.
