The boxing world is buzzing as Claressa Shields, the reigning female boxing champion, has publicly challenged Jake Paul, adding another layer of excitement to the already heated boxing scene. Shields made her intentions clear while discussing Paul's upcoming fight with Mike Tyson, which has been postponed to November 15 due to Tyson's medical scare.
Shields didn't hold back when addressing her desire to face Paul in the ring. "The offer is always up there if Jake Paul wants to scrap with me," Shields told TMZ Sports. "I don't think he's that good of a boxer. I'm never ever going to say or even feel that Jake Paul can beat me in a boxing match because he can't."
This bold statement comes after Paul's rescheduled bout with Tyson, still taking place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The highly anticipated fight, originally slated for July 20, was pushed back to November following Tyson's health issues. Netflix, the event's primary organizer, confirmed the new date and will stream the fight live.
The origin of the Paul-Shields feud
Shields, 29, holds an impressive 14-0 record and multiple titles, including the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles. Her confidence in her ability to defeat Paul stems from a long-standing beef between the two. The "Problem Child" reportedly called Shields a "loser" after her split-decision loss in her MMA debut, sparking a feud that Shields has not forgotten.
"You can't call me a loser because you don't box better than me," Shields added. "And you damn sure don't do MMA better than me. You do nothing better than me."
Despite her harsh words, Shields did acknowledge Jake Paul's positive impact on female boxing, particularly his role in elevating Amanda Serrano's profile. Serrano will feature in the co-main event against Katie Taylor on the Paul-Tyson fight card. Serrano and Taylor fought in the first female main event at Madison Square Garden in 2022.
Paul and Tyson's path to Nov 15
Paul, with a 9-1 record and six knockouts, has made waves in the boxing community, though his credibility is often questioned by seasoned professionals. His last two victories were first-round knockouts, but he faced a setback when Tommy Fury defeated him in a split decision in 2023.
Meanwhile, Tyson, who hasn't fought competitively since his TKO loss to Kevin McBride in 2005, aims to make a grand return. His exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. in July 2020 showcased his enduring popularity and skill.
As the November 15 showdown approaches, the anticipation is building not only for the clash between Tyson and Paul but also for the potential future bout between Paul and Shields. The boxing community is eagerly awaiting to see if Paul will take up Shields' challenge, setting the stage for what could be an explosive encounter.
