In the lead-up to the Julio Cesar Chavez fight, Jake Paul reflected on a potential partnership with Claressa Shields. “Business is business. I find some of what she says entertaining. I love sh*t talk as well, and we can make some super fights with Claressa Shields, honestly, and we have some of the biggest names of people on our roster that she would be able to fight, so it could make sense,” he told TMZ Sports. Months have passed, and that ship may have sailed. Following a brief phase as a free agent, Shields has rejoined Salita Promotions. And the move has brought her unprecedented rewards.

Worth $8 million, the multi-fight contract reportedly makes Claressa Shields the highest-paid boxer in the history of women’s boxing. However, the re-signing with Dmitriy Salita and the co-promotional deal with Wyn Records didn’t come as easily as one might imagine. The road to millions was paved with uncertainty. Particularly one of the offers she received came from Jake Paul‘s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).

When Claressa Shields nearly signed with Jake Paul

Shields reflected on those tense periods during an interview with Ariel Helwani. Initially, she had no idea where she was headed. “I was just open and talking to everybody,” she said before adding, “I really wanted to get the best deal.” Considering the stage she has reached in her career, she deserves compensation commensurate with her stature. When Helwani asked how difficult she found this phase, Shields replied, “I have four different contracts.”

The process of sifting through those contracts and weighing their pros and cons proved quite stressful. And she’d almost decided to go with MVP. “Looking at everybody’s contracts, weighing the pros and cons, and listen, I just was like, ‘It was very stressful.’ It was not easy at all, but I almost signed with MVP. Close,” Claressa Shields replied.

Ariel Helwani asked, “How close?” and Claressa Shields replied, “Like super close.” When Helwani pressed for details, the world champion revealed that she had spoken with MVP co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian. While they agreed on some key points, she felt the financial offer wasn’t sufficient. “I think that some of our stuff aligned, but it just wasn’t—I mean, it wasn’t enough money,” Shields said.

Despite not joining MVP, Shields had nothing but praise for what Jake Paul and his team have done for women’s boxing.

Shields and Paul: The back and forth

For those who recall, Shields had given a similar update back in May. Speaking again with Ariel Helwani, she revealed she’d been offered money to fight on the July 11 MVP card. “I think it was co-main against Shadasia [Green], but their money was nowhere near what I make,” she said at the time, finding it quite disrespectful. Her comments, however, drew a sharp rebuttal from the MVP team: “MVP unequivocally never made an offer to Claressa Shields / her promoter / her manager for any fight in 2025. Not even verbally.”

All this while Shields and Paul have been locked in a feud that’s been brewing for some time.

Nonetheless, it should all be in the past now. Claressa Shields is back in the game with a bang. She has an $8 million contract that reportedly includes four fights over a period of two years. While her ongoing feud with Laila Ali keeps fans on their toes, most are now looking forward to her next bout, said to be scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

Who would you want Shields to fight when she returns next year?