PFL sophomore Claressa Shields captured two gold medals at the Olympic Games, holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles, and recently became the first boxer in history — male or female — to simultaneously hold undisputed championships in two separate weight classes.
So no, she’s not playing second fiddle to celebrity pugilist Jake Paul.
“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,” Shields told reporters at the PFL press conference (watch it here). “Having a circus show … no disrespect to Tyron Woodley, no disrespect to Jake Paul, but I’m a real boxer. I could beat up Jake Paul at the weight class I’m at right now. So no, I would never fight on the undercard of someone who does not possess the skills or accomplishments that I have.”
And she’s also not jumping on UFC’s “one-fight deal.”
A disgruntled Shields migrated to MMA earlier this year, fed up with boxing promoters who continued to shortchange her. “T-Rex” was able to weather an early storm and score a technical knockout victory over Brittney Elkin at PFL 4 back in June.
Up next for the 26 year-old pugilist is Mexican standout Abigail Montes. They’ll do the deed at the PFL 2021 World Championships on Oct. 27 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on ESPN2.
Shields is expected to enter the promotion’s championship tournament in 2022.