Claressa Shields offers Laila Ali $15M to fight her in the boxing ring

Claressa Shields’ $15M Bid to Bring Laila Ali Out of Retirement

Claressa Shields—the reigning undisputed women’s heavyweight boxing champion—made headlines by announcing she had secured a $15 million purse to entice boxing legend Laila Ali out of retirement. In a video submitted to TMZ Sports, Shields declared:

“Laila, I’m here with my team. We got the $15 million! Let’s make a fight between me and you.”

The bold callout immediately reignited their long-standing feud and sparked speculation about a potential mega-fight for December 2025. As Claressa continues to build her brand, her boldness is contagious. However, Laila’s historic career, may give Claressa the battle she’s looking for. This piece breaks down the details of the offer, each fighter’s legacy, their personal beef, the unexpected drama involving Remy Ma and Papoose, and the broader impact on women’s boxing.

Claressa Shields: The GWOAT in Action

Born on March 17, 1995, in Flint, Michigan, Claressa Shields has become one of the most dominant and decorated athletes in boxing history. With an undefeated record of 16-0, including 11 knockouts, she’s not only a two-time Olympic gold medalist (London 2012 and Rio 2016) but also the only boxer—male or female—to hold undisputed titles in three different weight classes in the four-belt era. That alone solidifies her self-appointed title as the GWOAT: Greatest Woman of All Time.

Shields first burst onto the global scene as a teenager, winning her first Olympic gold at just 17 years old. Her aggressive style, relentless work ethic, and unapologetic confidence made her a standout in a sport often dominated by male narratives. After conquering the middleweight division, she unified titles in the super middleweight class and eventually moved up to heavyweight—making history with every step. Her victories over top-tier opponents like Christina Hammer and longtime rival Savannah Marshall have proven her mettle under pressure.

Beyond her dominance in the ring, Shields has also ventured into MMA, debuting with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2021. Though the transition was met with challenges, it further demonstrated her fearless attitude and versatility as a combat athlete.

An Entertaining Persona

Her influence also transcends sports. She’s appeared in documentaries like T-Rex, which chronicled her journey to the Olympics, and she’s become a vocal advocate for women’s sports, equal pay, and social justice issues. She often uses her platforms to speak out about growing up in poverty, overcoming abuse, and representing Flint with pride and resilience.

Shields’ next bout is scheduled for July 26, 2025, against New Zealand champion Lani Daniels. While that fight holds importance, the $15 million challenge to Laila Ali could define the next chapter in her legacy. With fans already buzzing about the possibility of a generational clash, Shields took to X and declared:

“I’m the GREATEST NOW!”

And based on her resume, she just might be right.

Shields Puts $15 Million on the Table

At 30 years old, Claressa Shields has offered Laila Ali, 47, a $15 million payday to come out of retirement—a move funded in part by Wynn Records CEO Ruben Branson. The proposed split includes $9 million for Shields, $6 million for Ali, with both sides set to earn additional income through pay-per-view revenue, potentially generating $30–40 million in total.

Shields’ team has proposed either the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas or AT&T Stadium in Dallas as potential venues for December 14, 2025, per Athlon Sports. Ali, who famously retired undefeated in 2007, once stated:

“Unless somebody has $15–20 million, don’t even call me.”

Laila Ali: A Retired Legend’s Legacy

Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs), the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, retired in 2007 with an unblemished record and titles in both the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. Notable victories over Jacqui Frazier-Lyde and Christy Martin helped solidify her status as a pioneer in women’s boxing.

Her charisma, undefeated record, and family legacy drew enormous attention to the sport in the early 2000s. In 2025, her guest commentary during the Netflix-streamed Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano bout reminded fans of her powerful presence in and outside the ring.

A Feud Years in the Making

The tension between Shields and Ali dates back to 2019 when Ali publicly called Shields “overrated,” prompting Shields to fire back that Ali was “the most hated” woman in boxing. The feud escalated with social media jabs and televised interviews. Ali’s original demand of \$15–20 million to consider a comeback seemed like a dismissal—but Shields meeting that price flipped the power dynamic.

In a July 13, 2025 X post, Shields added fuel to the fire:

“You not a better boxer than me & at 175 I’ll put you on your back!”

Now, with millions on the table, fans wonder if Ali will step into the ring to settle it once and for all.

Shields, Remy Ma & Papoose: The Unexpected Celebrity Crossover

Outside the ring, Shields has also been caught in a messy public feud involving Remy Ma and her estranged husband, rapper Papoose. The drama unfolded in late 2024 when Remy Ma leaked alleged text messages suggesting an affair between Papoose and Shields. Shields responded by defending herself on X and even challenged Remy to a $1 boxing match.

By mid-2025, the saga had escalated. Remy accused Shields of being “Papoose’s come-up,” while Shields clapped back, saying:

“I’mma say what I want to say! Yes, we gonna have a family!”

A viral July 13 clip showing Remy and Fat Joe sitting ringside opposite Shields and Papoose only amplified speculation. During a recent performance of her song “Ghetto & Ratchet,” Remy even remixed the lyrics to:

“If I want your man, I’ll take him.”

The Growth of Women’s Boxing

This potential Shields-Ali superfight is more than a personal grudge match—it’s a cultural moment. The sport has seen massive growth in the last five years. Fighters like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Shields herself have pushed women’s boxing into the mainstream.

According to Forbes, the Taylor-Serrano fight on Netflix in early 2025 broke viewership records for a women’s boxing match. If Shields vs. Ali happens, it could shatter those numbers—with an expected \$30–40 million in total revenue.

As one fan posted:

“Women’s boxing is running the game right now!”

Public Reactions: Split, But Hooked

Social media has been buzzing since the announcement. Here’s what fans are saying:

• “Claressa’s calling Laila’s bluff—this is huge!”
• “Ali’s a legend, but she’s 47… no way she accepts.”
• “Disrespecting a legend ain’t it.”
• “Shields got the money and the resume. Give her that fight!”

Even rapper Tesehki chimed in:

“If this happens, I need a walk-on part. Let me host the undercard!”

Platforms like TMZ, The Shade Room, and HotNewHipHop have kept the hype alive as fans await Ali’s next move.

A Historic Female Battle

Claressa Shields’ $15 million offer to Laila Ali isn’t just about boxing—it’s about legacy, power, and personal redemption. As Claressa continues to make a name for herself, she proves she isn’t afraid to back it up. Especially, when it comes to stepping into he boxing ring with any oponet. Whether you’re a fan of sports history, reality-level celebrity feuds, or simply rooting for women taking up space in a male-dominated industry, this story delivers. It’s not just a fight—it’s a moment.