
via Getty
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 21: Claressa Maria Shields of the United States celebrates victory over Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands in the Women’s Middle (69-75kg) Final Bout on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro – Pavilion 6 on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

via Getty
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 21: Claressa Maria Shields of the United States celebrates victory over Nouchka Fontijn of the Netherlands in the Women’s Middle (69-75kg) Final Bout on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro – Pavilion 6 on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
In the adrenaline-charged world of professional boxing, athletes not only showcase their physical prowess but also their ability to handle the occasional verbal jabs from fans. Recently, Claressa Shields found herself in the ring of words, defending her skills against a fan’s opinion that Amanda Serrano might outshine her. What unfolded on social media was a fiery exchange, revealing the raw and unapologetic confidence that has defined Shields’ career.
The spat ignited when a fan, seemingly trying to compare Shields to Serrano, pointed out perceived shortcomings in Claressa’s career. The fan questioned her knockout record, event attendance, and overall marketability. Shields, however, didn’t back down. She set the record straight, countering each criticism with facts.
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Claressa Shields Hits out at a fan who questioned her worth
Shields stood out when she addressed the claim that Little Caesars Arena was only halfway full during one of her events. With a casual “lol,” she corrected the fan, asserting that the arena, with a capacity of 15,000, had 12,000 attendees. The casual yet confident response painted a picture of Shields as someone unfazed by criticism, standing tall in the face of doubters.
Fuck your apology. Weird ass ! https://t.co/bkR7Loo4oh
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) November 12, 2023
Amanda Serrano got dragged into the conversation when the same fan asserted that Serrano was better than Shields. Serrano, however, took a diplomatic route out. Responding to the fan and gracefully sidestepping the comparison, she emphasized her commitment to personal growth and positivity. Shields, however, wasn’t ready to let the fan off the hook, asserting that some fans need a reality check when making baseless statements.
Pause ! Read the thread! No one is hating on you! These fans need to be put in there place at times. She made a statement & it was false https://t.co/VddGqaznzp
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) November 12, 2023
As the fan, perhaps realizing the error of their ways, offered an apology, Shields didn’t mince words. Rejecting the apology, Shields hit out with a blunt, “F*ck your apology. Weird *ss!” She made it clear that she had no interest in half-hearted retractions. This unapologetic stance reinforced the image of Shields as a no-nonsense athlete. Unquestionably unafraid to call out what she perceives as disrespectful behavior.
The better female boxer debate
Last year, the community engaged in a debate over who the superior boxer was. The debate centers on who will crown the number one women’s pound-for-pound fighter, with Shields, ranked third after her recent victory against Ema Kozin, unable to surpass Serrano in second place. The discussion on The DAZN Boxing Show explores the achievements of Shields and Serrano, with arguments favoring Shields due to her beating champions and achieving undisputed status in multiple weight classes.
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Read More: Amanda Serrano Reacts as Fan Challenges Claressa Shields to Fight Her
Emphasizing the importance of the Serrano vs. Katie Taylor bout, the narrative highlighted Serrano’s dominant performance while underscoring Shields’ potential to achieve undisputed status in the same division for the third time. Acknowledging the complexity of the rankings, the discussion took into account both fighters’ remarkable accomplishments in women’s boxing.
In conclusion, when athletes often filter their responses, Claressa Shields’ unfiltered retort showcased a genuine and unapologetic persona. It was a moment that resonated with fans who appreciate authenticity in an industry often clouded by carefully curated images.
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While the verbal skirmish may have been intense, it only added to Shields’ allure as a confident and fearless athlete, ready to take on any challenger—both in the ring and outside it.
Watch This Story: 10 Greatest Female Boxers of All Time
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