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A long-simmering feud between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali boiled over this week. After Shields doubled down on provocative comments. Prompting Ali to release a 30-minute video blasting the undisputed middleweight star for “lies, harassment, and a false narrative.” How We Got Here Shields has repeatedly needled the retired Hall of Famer. In recent years at times with personal barbs and in July publicly floated a $15 million offer to lure Ali, 47, out of retirement. On the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast this week. Shields escalated again, saying Ali is “just Muhammad Ali’s daughter” and claiming Ann Wolfe “would have knocked Laila Ali… out.” Ali’s Response Ali (24-0, 21 KOs), who hasn’t fought since 2007 and has since built a lucrative career in television, lifestyle brands, and publishing, responded with a detailed video statement: “I am not going to let someone with bad character continue running freely and dragging my name without accountability… Since 2018, Claressa Shields has repeatedly used my name to gain visibility… Her obsession with being seen as a better fighter than me stems from her desire to be viewed as the greatest female boxer of all time.” Ali accused Shields of leveraging comparisons to Muhammad Ali while self-branding as the GWOAT, and said the narrative has crossed from routine trash talk into sustained harassment. The Stakes Legacy vs. Spotlight: Shields’ pursuit of all-time status continues to intersect with Ali’s iconic surname and unbeaten record, fueling headlines beyond the ring. Comeback Chatter: While Shields has dangled a massive payday, Ali has not committed to fighting; her video focused on accountability, not negotiations. Women’s Boxing Optics: The public back-and-forth draws attention to the sport—but the tone risks overshadowing a landmark era for women’s boxing. Shields has yet to issue a full counter-response to Ali’s video. Whether this dust-up leads to a sanctioned bout or fades. As another flashpoint in a long feud will hinge on money, timing, and, above all, Ali’s willingness to return after 18 years out of the ring. The war of words just hit a new peak. If it ever becomes more than words, it would be one of the biggest crossover events women’s boxing has ever seen.
