*The possibility of a showdown between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali has been permanently shut down.
As Complex reports, Ali has definitively stated she will not emerge from retirement to meet Shields in the ring. For years, Shields has pursued Ali for a matchup. Back in July, Ali was asked about returning to the ring to face Shields. She didn’t shut the door entirely—if the money’s right, per SI.com. “The rumor that I heard is that unless somebody has $15, $20 million, don’t even call me [about a fight against Shields]. That’s all I got,” Ali said.
“I said unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we’re not even gonna have a conversation. I’m not trying to come back and fight, but if someone offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it,” she added.
View this post on Instagram
Scroll to continue reading
Shields, 30, responded with a fiery post on X, signaling she’s not only ready but eager to take on Ali, writing: “What a great weekend of boxing ?! Really motivated! Now @TheRealLailaAli I’m the GREATEST NOW! Be careful what you ask for ! You know I’ve been wanting to make you eat your words! You not a better boxer than me & at 175 I’ll put you on your back! BEEN READY FOR YOU! #GWOAT @claressashields”.
Though Ali, 47, hasn’t fought since 2007, her name still carries serious weight. Shields, who’s chasing her own iconic moments, seems more than willing to test greatness in the ring. In a recent video, Ali criticized Shields for displaying a “divisive, vindictive, and malicious nature” and accused her of showing “a lack of respect.”
“So, did her plan work? Did she make me mad enough to come out of retirement after 18 years and start training again… to make her dream of fighting me come true?” Ali asked in the clip. “Absolutely not. [Shields] will not be rewarded with the opportunity to share the ring with me, or anything else. There’s your answer.”
lol Laila was never undisputed in no weight class ?? the accolades don’t match the mouth. And she ran fast from Ann Wolfe. The truth is getting louder and louder. 4x world champion and I’m 19x world champion with LESS fights. BFFr. She’s mad I called her bluff !
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) October 31, 2025
Shields responded on X with sharp criticism of Ali’s decision. “Another long ass video and still no answer to if she going to take her ass whoopin man STFU LAILA I can’t take it no more,” she posted. “I’m not making another video. It’s clear you are scared, old & bitter!”
She escalated her response further, writing: “Y’all be fooled by anything ?? ‘I won’t reward her with a fight’ how are you rewarding me by supposedly knocking me out? Being knocked out is not a reward. All that bark with no bite we all know she can’t bust a grape. But you don’t want to get hit by me though ?? […] lol Laila was never undisputed in no weight class the accolades don’t match the mouth. And she ran fast from Ann Wolfe. The truth is getting louder and louder. 4x world champion and I’m 19x world champion with LESS fights. BFFr. She’s mad I called her bluff !”
The heated back-and-forth has seemingly ended discussions about what boxing enthusiasts once viewed as a landmark fight.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Claressa Shields Fires Back at Laila Ali After Fight Challenge Remarks
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
