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Pursuit of fame and fortune drove world boxing champ Claressa Shields to MMA

June 4, 2021 | M Live

“In women’s boxing, women don’t get paid that much,” Shields told MMA Fighting. “I’ve won every title you can think of, every last organization. Three-time division world champ, two-time undisputed champ at 154 and 160 [pounds]. I’ve held titles at 168 and it’s like I’m not a millionaire. I’m known worldwide but I’m not a household name yet.

“There’s nothing more I can do in women’s boxing to make me be a household name cause I’ve done everything. Nothing else I can do. People was talking about me and Laila Ali fighting or her coming out of retirement. I still wouldn’t be a household name after that win.”

Shields, who won two Olympic boxing gold medals before turning pro in 2016, was sidelined for more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. All sports were shut down but when they started to reopen, Shields became frustrated when other boxers returned to the ring but nobody would book a fight for her.

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