Tag: Claressa Shields

Boxing Star Claressa Shields Fires Back at Critics: ‘Do Your Research!’ Amid Marijuana Suspension Controversy

Boxing Star Claressa Shields Fires Back at Critics: 'Do Your Research!' Amid Marijuana Suspension ControversyClaressa Shields, a 29-year-old US-born boxer and the only fighter to hold undisputed world titles in three weight classes,…

Boxing Star Claressa Shields Fires Back at Critics: 'Do Your Research!' Amid Marijuana Suspension Controversy

Claressa Shields, a 29-year-old US-born boxer and the only fighter to hold undisputed world titles in three weight classes, has been suspended by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission after testing positive for marijuana. The suspension follows an “oral fluid sample” collected after her February 3 victory over Danielle Perkins in Michigan, which revealed the presence of the banned substance.

Claressa Shields Suspension

Marijuana is prohibited in competition under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. The Michigan Commission stated that Claressa Shields’ actions pose a threat to the integrity of professional boxing, public interest, and athlete safety. The World Boxing Organization (WBO), which cannot impose suspensions, has requested Shields to provide an explanation through a “show cause” notice.

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Meanwhile, the Michigan Commission is conducting its own investigation to determine if further disciplinary action is warranted. Shields addressed the situation on social media, asserting she is a “clean athlete.”

Claressa Shields

Her manager criticized the Michigan Commission’s statements as premature and harmful, suggesting second-hand smoke could be a factor in her positive test. Shields remains undefeated in her career and is widely regarded as one of boxing’s greatest athletes.

Claressa Shields

Online, Shields responded:

“This isn’t breaking. And it’s not a thinking face, it was marijuana, no PEDs. Also [Ariel Helwani] it’s a temporary suspension til I go to trial for the very petite amount. I’ve never smoked weed.

“On my soul can’t nobody tarnish my image. It’s a temporary suspension til I go to trial for this very small amount of marijuana. I’m not SUSPENDED from Boxing, I’m not stripped of my titles. I’m just waiting. Also I can’t defend a lie! Do your research!”

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Claressa Shields Becomes First-Ever Undisputed Women’s Heavyweight Champion – Shields vs. Perkins Highlights

Claressa Shields Becomes First-Ever Undisputed Women's Heavyweight Champion - Shields vs. Perkins HighlightsClaressa Shields made history, becoming the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight world champion with a lights-out performance against the previously…

Claressa Shields Becomes First-Ever Undisputed Women's Heavyweight Champion - Shields vs. Perkins Highlights

Claressa Shields made history, becoming the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight world champion with a lights-out performance against the previously undefeated Danielle Perkins.

Perkins showed no fear from the get-go and looked to walk down Shields early, but it wasn’t long before the ‘GWOAT‘ would land that one shot that would change everything. That moment came in the third when Shields landed a massive overhand right that put Perkins on wobbly legs. With her opponent clearly compromised, Shields poured it on throughout the third, but Perkins managed to weather the storm and make it back to her stool.

Shields came out much more reserved in the fourth as she looked to land one big shot. However, it was Perkins who landed the best punch of the round, catching Shields with a straight left that sent the ‘GWOAT’ stumbling backward just before the bell.

Things were relatively slow the next couple of rounds, but the action picked up again in the seventh when Shields caught Perkins with another overnight hand. With Perkins backed up to the ropes, the champ unleashed a flurry of strikes, looking for the fight-ending shot, but was unable to find it before the round came to a close.

Down on the scorecards, Perkins came out looking to land her patented left hand, but Shields was having none of it. With 10 seconds to go in the 10th and final round, Shields uncorked a massive overland left that popped Perkins’ head back and knocked her to the mat.

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Perkins answered the referee’s 10-count, but by the time the fight resumed, there was only one tick left on the clock.

Official Result: Claressa Shields def. Danielle Perkins via unanimous decision (100-89, 97-92, 99-90)

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Check out highlights from Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins:

Boxer Claressa Shields Drops Musician Jhonni Blaze in Fiery Sparring Session

Boxer Claressa Shields Drops Musician Jhonni Blaze in Fiery Sparring SessionIn a rare crossover moment between entertainment and sports the undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields and multi-talented artist Jhonni…

Boxer Claressa Shields Drops Musician Jhonni Blaze in Fiery Sparring Session

In a rare crossover moment between entertainment and sports the undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields and multi-talented artist Jhonni Blaze shared the ring in a sparring session. Jhonni Blaze was on the front foot with aggression but the boxing great Claressa Shields defended with ease.

Claressa Shields vs. Jhonni Blaze

Jhonni Blaze entered the match with her trademark determination, stepping into an unfamiliar arena against one of the greatest fighters of all time. Claressa Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-division world champion. She took on the session with a mix of seriousness and playfulness, showcasing why she’s considered a generational talent in the boxing world.

During the sparring session, Shields gave Blaze the opportunity to attack freely, blocking and slipping every punch with ease. Despite Blaze’s best efforts, Shields was clearly in control, using her defensive mastery to toy with her opponent. After patiently evading Blaze’s offense, Shields began peppering her with precise jabs, keeping her at bay. The session ended dramatically when Shields landed a perfectly timed body shot, sending Blaze to the canvas.

The two women shared laughs and wrapped each other’s hands, a rare gesture of respect and mentorship in a sport known for its intensity. Blaze, a singer, reality TV star, and entrepreneur, later took to social media to express her gratitude and admiration for Shields.

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“My life lately has been far from ‘normal,’” Blaze wrote. “I got wrapped by a legend. @claressashields… This meant a lot to me because in order to be around certain types of people, you have to change your mental, how you move, how you talk, and grow. I wanted to surround myself with the greats. How many people can say, ‘Hey, @claressashields wrapped my hands before sparring with me?’”

Claressa Shields competes in both boxing and MMA. She is set to face Danielle Perkins this weekend and looks to defend her heavyweight throne. 2024 also saw the release of her award-winning biopic The Fire Inside.

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Photo by Tim Wheaton

How Amanda Nunes Fired Up Claressa Shields for MMA Move – “I’d Destroy Her. Stop Playing with Me”

How Amanda Nunes Fired Up Claressa Shields for MMA Move - "I’d Destroy Her. Stop Playing with Me"The GWOAT of women’s boxing recently opened up about her transition to mixed martial arts at the role Amanda…

How Amanda Nunes Fired Up Claressa Shields for MMA Move - "I’d Destroy Her. Stop Playing with Me"

The GWOAT of women’s boxing recently opened up about her transition to mixed martial arts at the role Amanda Nunes played in her decision.

Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Claressa Shields is considered by many to be the best female boxer of all time. One quick look at her resume, and you’ll quickly understand why. Aside from holding multiple world championships across five different weight classes, Shields is one of only four boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO—in two weight classes.

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After dominating her competition inside the squared circle, Shields turned her attention to the Smart Cage, signing with the Professional Fighters League and making her promotional debut in June 2021.

Though she struggled in the early going, Shields ultimately won her bout against Brittney Elkin via a third-round TKO after Elkin gassed out. Overall, she is 2-1 in the PFL, adding a split-decision loss to Abigail Montes followed by a split-decision win over Kelsey DeSantis.

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Shields isn’t afraid to fight Amanda Nunes

During an interview with P4P great Andre Ward, Shields revealed that some harsh words from former two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes are what convinced her to trade in her eight-ounce gloves for a pair of four-ouncers.

“I said, are y’all stupid? In a boxing match, I would destroy Amanda Nunes,” Shields said. “Let’s be real now. MMA? Pump your brakes. I’ve got to put in some years and years for that. But boxing? Stop playing with me—with my left and my right.”

“So Amanda said, ‘Tell Claressa she’ll come to my world, and I’ll choke the [expletive] out of her.’ That’s what she said. And I said, ‘This girl thinks I’m scared of getting choked? You think I’m scared of fighting her?’ Yeah, I’m gonna show these girls. I fight—I will fight y’all, but y’all won’t fight me. It’s two different fights—apples and oranges. I will come over there and peel that orange, but you won’t come over here and bite this apple. It’s two different things.

“So, for me, it was just to tug at them, make them mad, to show them. Like, I knew it was going to be hard, but I actually enjoy MMA.”

Though Shields has dove headfirst into the world of MMA, she is far from done in boxing. Five months after her win over DeSantis at PFL vs. Bellator in Saudi Arabia, she went on to capture the WBC and WBF female heavyweight titles via a second-round knockout of Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.

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“What Did I Get Myself Into?” Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly Holm

"What Did I Get Myself Into?" Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly HolmClaressa Shields is a force in boxing and a rising star in MMA but found herself in deep waters…

"What Did I Get Myself Into?" Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly Holm

Claressa Shields is a force in boxing and a rising star in MMA but found herself in deep waters against Holly Holm, a former UFC champion. ‘GWOAT’ Shields recently opened up about an intense training experience with one of the most accomplished figures in combat sports, Holly Holm.

Claressa Shields Training with Holly Holm

Known for her legendary career in both boxing and MMA, Holm put Shields to the test in a brutal training session that left the undefeated champion questioning what she had gotten herself into.

In a recent interview, Shields recalled a moment during her MMA training camp, where she found herself face-to-face with the seasoned veteran, Holly Holm. “I’m in a training camp, getting ready for the fight, right? And they got me there with Holly Holm, and they’re like, first of all, Holly is an OG. She’s an OG. Holly Holm and Jonny Bones—Holly Holm is an OG,” Shields began, highlighting Holm’s experience and status in the fighting world.

The session was designed as a “big boxing day,” but with a twist. Both fighters wore large gloves, allowing for punches while still incorporating takedowns. However, not all fighters were willing to stand and trade blows. “Some people are like, ‘Look, I’m not good at standing up, so I’m gonna take you down,’” Shields explained.

As Claressa Shields threw punches at Holly Holm, she was taken aback when the MMA veteran retaliated with a kick that caused a minor injury. “I’m talking about, I’m giving Holly the hands—the big rights, boom boom boom. I’m—man, she threw a kick. Man, her toenail cut my nose and nicked me. I said, ‘Oh, [expletive], it’s real!’”

The situation escalated quickly as Holly Holm took Claressa Shields to the ground, forcing the boxing champion into a position she was unfamiliar with. Shields admitted, “Then I get mad, I start charging her, hitting her—hitting her—boom, boom. She took me down to the ground, and I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t get up. The way she was putting her head inside my chin and my neck, the way she was putting her elbow on me—I’m like, ‘What the hell am I supposed to do down here?’”

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With her training team urging her to work on the techniques she had been taught, Claressa Shields found herself struggling to escape. “Man, I said, ‘This is for real.’ I said, ‘What did I get myself into?’”

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Shields’ journey into MMA has been marked by impressive achievements. She made a successful debut in 2021 with the PFL and won her first fight by TKO in the third round. In boxing, Shields holds an undefeated record of and she made history as the first boxer to hold undisputed titles in multiple weight classes simultaneously in the four-belt era.

holly holm

Holly Holm is a former world champion boxer and UFC icon has also made her mark in both sports. Holm retired from boxing with an impressive record and transitioned to MMA, where she famously defeated Ronda Rousey to become the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2015. Additionally, she holds a spot in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Claressa Shields will next look to defend her title against Danielle Perkins on February 2, and will likely compete in MMA later this year as well. Holly Holm is still an active fighter and a staple of the UFC.

“What Did I Get Myself Into?” Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly Holm

"What Did I Get Myself Into?" Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly HolmClaressa Shields is a force in boxing and a rising star in MMA but found herself in deep waters…

"What Did I Get Myself Into?" Claressa Shields Opens Up About Brutal Training with Holly Holm

Claressa Shields is a force in boxing and a rising star in MMA but found herself in deep waters against Holly Holm, a former UFC champion. ‘GWOAT’ Shields recently opened up about an intense training experience with one of the most accomplished figures in combat sports, Holly Holm.

Claressa Shields Training with Holly Holm

Known for her legendary career in both boxing and MMA, Holm put Shields to the test in a brutal training session that left the undefeated champion questioning what she had gotten herself into.

In a recent interview, Shields recalled a moment during her MMA training camp, where she found herself face-to-face with the seasoned veteran, Holly Holm. “I’m in a training camp, getting ready for the fight, right? And they got me there with Holly Holm, and they’re like, first of all, Holly is an OG. She’s an OG. Holly Holm and Jonny Bones—Holly Holm is an OG,” Shields began, highlighting Holm’s experience and status in the fighting world.

The session was designed as a “big boxing day,” but with a twist. Both fighters wore large gloves, allowing for punches while still incorporating takedowns. However, not all fighters were willing to stand and trade blows. “Some people are like, ‘Look, I’m not good at standing up, so I’m gonna take you down,’” Shields explained.

As Claressa Shields threw punches at Holly Holm, she was taken aback when the MMA veteran retaliated with a kick that caused a minor injury. “I’m talking about, I’m giving Holly the hands—the big rights, boom boom boom. I’m—man, she threw a kick. Man, her toenail cut my nose and nicked me. I said, ‘Oh, [expletive], it’s real!’”

The situation escalated quickly as Holly Holm took Claressa Shields to the ground, forcing the boxing champion into a position she was unfamiliar with. Shields admitted, “Then I get mad, I start charging her, hitting her—hitting her—boom, boom. She took me down to the ground, and I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t get up. The way she was putting her head inside my chin and my neck, the way she was putting her elbow on me—I’m like, ‘What the hell am I supposed to do down here?’”

Claressa Shields Heavyweight 1

With her training team urging her to work on the techniques she had been taught, Claressa Shields found herself struggling to escape. “Man, I said, ‘This is for real.’ I said, ‘What did I get myself into?’”

036 Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.0.0

Shields’ journey into MMA has been marked by impressive achievements. She made a successful debut in 2021 with the PFL and won her first fight by TKO in the third round. In boxing, Shields holds an undefeated record of and she made history as the first boxer to hold undisputed titles in multiple weight classes simultaneously in the four-belt era.

holly holm

Holly Holm is a former world champion boxer and UFC icon has also made her mark in both sports. Holm retired from boxing with an impressive record and transitioned to MMA, where she famously defeated Ronda Rousey to become the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2015. Additionally, she holds a spot in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Claressa Shields heavw

Claressa Shields will next look to defend her title against Danielle Perkins on February 2, and will likely compete in MMA later this year as well. Holly Holm is still an active fighter and a staple of the UFC.