Claressa Shields made boxing history in her fight against Danielle Perkins becoming the first fighter to hold undisputed titles in 3 weight classes! Dominating every round to win a unanimous decision, the Michigan native left no doubt about her supremacy. The win also made her the first woman to snatch the undisputed heavyweight champion title.

But just weeks after the triumph, she has found herself in a storm cloud of controversy. The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission claims she tested positive for marijuana. But is this a fair fight? Shields doesn’t think so. And if there’s one thing she’s never done, it’s back down.

According to reports available online, The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission announced that Claressa Shields tested positive for the banned substance in an “oral fluid sample” taken after her fight against Perkins. This led to an immediate suspension, barring her from competing in Michigan while an investigation unfolds.

In a statement provided to Sky News, the commission stated, “Ms Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an imminent threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and the welfare and safety of professional athletes,”

Never one to mince words, Shields took to Instagram to shut down the backlash. She wrote , “I don’t smoke no damn weed and it’s a temporary suspension til I go to trial. Y’all love to tear a black woman down.”

But she didn’t stop there. In a subsequent comment, she scoffed at the outrage amongst the media sphere and stated, “I aint test positive for no damn PEDs! And the amount of weed they talking about is so small I can’t believe these bozos even making articles.”

American sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson had faced something similar when a test for marijuana cost her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Richardson received a one-month ban following the test and the verdict.

The WBO, which lacks the power to suspend Shields due to it being a sanctioning body, has demanded a “show notice,” giving her the chance to explain herself. Meanwhile, the Michigan Commission’s investigation continues, leaving her career momentarily in limbo. Which raises the question, what happens to her plans for 2025?

Claressa Shields’ plans for “two more” fights in 2025 are now up in the air 

Claressa Shields had big plans for 2025. She wanted to stay active, fight twice more, and settle unfinished business inside the ring. But with the Michigan Commission’s investigation looming over her, everything now depends on what happens next.

After the history-making win over Danielle Perkins, Shields stated, “I want to fight two more times this year.” The opponents? A clash with Franchón Crews-Dezurn, a rematch with Hanna Gabriels, and a second showdown with Savannah Marshall, this time on American soil.

But that wasn’t all. Shields also had her sights set on potential super fights as she confessed, “It’s always on the table if Cris Cyborg or Laila Ali want to fight.”

However, right now, everything is at a standstill. The Michigan Commission holds the keys to her immediate future. If cleared, Shields can move forward, chasing the fights she wants. But if further action is taken, those plans could possibly be derailed.

But if there’s one thing Shields has proven time and again, it’s that she thrives in adversity. Whether inside the ring or outside of it, she’s never backed down from a fight. Will this battle end with her clearing her name and resuming her reign? Or will it be another chapter in the long debate over marijuana in sports? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!