Claressa Shields, regarded as the most accomplished female boxer in history, believes she has the skills necessary to defeat Jake Paul in an anticipated ‘Battle of the Sexes’ showdown. This matchup has garnered significant attention, particularly following Paul’s recent victory over Mike Tyson on Netflix, which Shields found unimpressive.
Shields, who first challenged Paul in 2021, is more motivated than ever to face him after his recent performances. The 29-year-old athlete openly criticized Paul’s lackluster approach during his fight against Tyson in November, where he secured a unanimous decision victory. “Jake Paul showed that he has not improved his skills. He needs to train harder and smarter,” Shields stated in an interview with USA Today. She further emphasized that her upcoming opponent, Danielle Perkins, has the potential to defeat Paul as well.
In her critique, Shields urged that anyone opposing a match between her and Paul may be misinformed about boxing and possibly harboring sexist views. “Those against this idea are just sexist. It’s peculiar to think that a YouTuber could outperform a female boxer who holds two Olympic gold medals, numerous world titles, and has fought as a heavyweight,” she asserted.
Shields did not hold back her sentiments, urging those who believe Jake’s gender gives him an advantage to “get the f**k out of here.”
Potential Matchup Insights
Boxing analyst and former trainer Teddy Atlas commented on the plausibility of a fight between Shields and Paul, suggesting it is certainly worthy of consideration. “Her skill level and physical abilities, contrasted with his lack of experience, make this a potential match. However, we cannot overlook the physical size and strength advantage he possesses,” Atlas explained.
Despite the compelling nature of the matchup, Atlas pointed out that Shields had previously been knocked down by a male sparring partner in 2018, which he believes is an important factor to consider.
As of now, Paul has not publicly responded to Shields’ challenge, and he has a range of potential fights lined up throughout 2025. Notably, heavyweight champion ‘Dynamite’ Daniel Dubois has expressed interest in putting his title on the line against Paul, presenting the influencer with a chance to capture his first belt.
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