Two months from now, when she steps into the ring in Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena, Claressa Shields may have one thought to brood over. While confident that she will win the fight, there could be some pressure to secure an emphatic win. If she has to counter Cris Cyborg‘s stinging claim, Shields will have to knock out Lani ‘Smiling Assassin’ Daniels when they meet on July 26.

The mixed martial arts legend, who returned to boxing last January after a two-year break, knocked out Seattle-born Precious Harris-McCray in San Jose. Given their past back-and-forth, which saw her calling out Claressa Shields on several occasions, Cris Cyborg didn’t waste time taunting a rival she’s seemingly been jostling with for space in the women’s boxing landscape.

One step ahead!!

Cris Cyborg was responding to a post that featured her victory over Harris-McCray. So tagging Claressa Shields, she said, “Only 5 boxing fights, but I’ve already got more KO’s than @Claressashields.” So reportedly, the fight, part of a martial arts event in San Jose’s Tech CU Arena, was organized by Scott Coker and Gilbert Melendez. The half-minute-long footage from the second round showed Cyborg pummeling her opponent. Harris-McCray looked totally confused and perhaps dazed. Finally, it took the referee to step in between and save Precious Harris-McCray from further misery.

In the second stretch of her boxing career, where she fought five times, Cris Cyborg ended four through early stoppage. Now, in comparison, Claressa Shields, who has thus far faced sixteen opponents in her nearly decade-long career, could oust only three early in the fight.

Cris Cyborg’s latest jab follows the mocks when the online back-and-forth between Claressa Shields and the Amanda Serrano-Alycia Baumgardner combination went viral.

Not everything is as it appears

In one instance, questioning the needless comparison between her and Shields, Serrano pointed at the futility of their much-talked-about matchup. She said, “I will never go over 140 lb., which is already 3 divisions past my best weight of 126, where I’m champion & I believe she can’t make 140.”

So Cyborg promptly added a jibe, “Apparently she can no longer make 154 either 😂😂😂😅. Likewise, once Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) shared a clip. It featured Alycia Baumgardner and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian fielding questions on a potential face-off against Shields. Cyborg once again jeered, “😂 @Claressashields ate herself out of fights fans care about.”

It was on February 2 that Claressa Shields became undisputed women’s heavyweight champion. For her first title defense, she is facing a reigning IBF light heavyweight champion. In previous interviews, Shields made it amply clear that she cannot go below 154 pounds. Cris Cyborg’s latest bout was at light middleweight. So if Shields is willing to drop down to 154 pounds, then, to end the debate, a fight appears feasible.

Nonetheless, Cyborg should note. Staying ahead of Shields merely because she scored more knockouts may not present a compelling argument. With two Olympic gold medals and multi-division championship wins, Shields is an all-time great. If not for her ability to pack off opponents, she is widely admired for her technical skills.

Fans should watch out. Claressa Shields rarely waits long before firing back.

What’s your take? Do you think a fight between Claressa Shields and Cris Cyborg might prove a big draw?