Claressa Shields, the formidable female boxing champion, has issued a bold challenge to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, confidently asserting that he would stand no chance against her in the ring. Shields’ declaration comes as Paul prepares for his postponed fight with Mike Tyson, which has been rescheduled from July 20 to November 15 due to Tyson’s medical scare
Shields made her challenge known during an interview with TMZ Sports, where she expressed her readiness to take on Paul. “The offer is always up there if Jake Paul wanna scrap with me,” Shields said. “I don’t think that he’s that good of a boxer. I’m never ever going to say or even feel that Jake Paul can beat me in a boxing match because he can’t.”
Shields’ confidence stems from her impressive record and achievements in the sport. With a 14-0 career record, she holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant figures in women’s boxing.
The rivalry between Shields and Paul isn’t just about boxing skills. Shields revealed that Paul had once “tried to kick [her] when [she] was down,” referring to an incident where Paul called her a “loser” following her split-decision loss in her MMA debut. Shields fired back, emphasizing her superiority in both boxing and MMA. “You can’t call me a loser because you don’t box better than me,” she added. “And you damn sure don’t do MMA better than me. You do nothing better than me.”
Despite their beef, Shields acknowledged Paul’s contributions to the sport, particularly his role in promoting female fighters. She praised him for increasing the popularity of fellow female boxer Amanda Serrano, who will be fighting Katie Taylor on the undercard of the Paul-Tyson event. Serrano and Taylor made history with their 2022 fight at Madison Square Garden, the first female main event in the arena’s history.
Jake Paul, with a 9-1 record and six knockouts in his professional boxing career, has been a polarizing figure in the boxing world. His last two victories were first-round knockouts, showcasing his punching power and quick finishes. However, his lone defeat came from Tommy Fury in a split decision in 2023. Paul’s upcoming fight with Mike Tyson is highly anticipated, despite Tyson not having fought competitively since 2005.
As the date for the Paul-Tyson fight approaches, the potential clash between Shields and Paul adds another layer of excitement to the boxing world. Claressa Shields, at 29, is at the peak of her career, and her challenge to Paul underscores her belief in her abilities and her desire to break new ground in the sport.
Whether or not Jake Paul will accept Shields’ challenge remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Claressa Shields is ready to prove that she can take on anyone, regardless of their reputation or record. Her challenge is a bold statement of confidence and a testament to her status as a champion willing to face all comers.
As fans eagerly await the November showdown between Paul and Tyson, the prospect of Shields versus Paul looms large, promising a potential match that could redefine boundaries and expectations in the world of boxing.
