Former undisputed female middleweight champion of the world and the current WBC and WBO female light middleweight titleholder, Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) is not eager to have her name featured on the same fight card as Jake Paul unless they are facing each other, in which case, he two-time Olympic gold medallist is very much willing to beat up the YouTuber-turned boxer.
The rise of Jake Paul in boxing is not the cup of tea for many. While a number of combat sports icons have steered away from getting into the squared circle against the undefeated “Problem Child”, others have been very willing to square off against Jake. The 24-year-old, who is 4-0 as a pro boxer, is coming off of a split decision victory against former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
The event, which took place on 29th August at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, also featured WBC, WBO, and IBO female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano defending her belts against Yamileth Mercado via unanimous decision.
The fight card raised many eyebrows as Serrano, who is one of the top female boxers at present, was featured on the undercard of Jake Paul, who many still don’t consider to be a real fighter, nor a significant identity in combat sports.
No disrespect to Tyron Woodley or Jake Paul, but I’m a real boxer: Claressa Shields
On the same notion, Claressa Shields, who is one of the most decorated boxers of all time, was asked if she would ever go down the path of Serrano, that is, to have her name on the undercard of a Jake Paul fight.
Unsurprisingly, the ‘GWOAT’ feels that would be a disrespect to her.
“I would never fight on the undercard of Jake Paul. I’m a three-division world champion and a two-time Olympic gold medallist in boxing,” said Shields, “I would never fight on Jake Paul’s undercard. I don’t know what Amanda Serrano’s purse was – I think it was $75,000-$100,000.”
“I would never fight another boxing match for that money because I’m worth so much more. I’m a $1 million fighter. [Jake Paul] was having a circus show. No disrespect to Tyron Woodley or Jake Paul, but I’m a real boxer.”
So far, Jake is only facing non-boxers in his nascent professional career but Shields, who is currently in light middleweight, is confident that she can walk all over the cruiserweight in case they step inside the ring, something that she has uttered in the past as well.
“I could beat up Jake Paul at the weight class I’m at right now. I would never fight on the undercard of someone who does not possess the skills or accomplishments that I have,” added Shields. [H/T Sky Sports]
Highlights:
- Claressa Shields is not willing to be featured on the undercard of a Jake Paul fight
- Unified female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano fought on the undercard of Paul vs Woodley
- Claressa Shields is confident in beating up Jake Paul even at her weight class
