Laila Ali Responds to Claressa Shields' Remarks
Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, has firmly addressed what she views as disrespectful comments made by Claressa Shields about both herself and her late father. This ongoing tension between the two boxing champions has resurfaced following Shields' bold declaration of her place in boxing history in 2021.
Claressa Shields' Statement on Boxing Greatness
"No matter what boxer comes along, nobody can get in front of Muhammad Ali. That's how I feel about myself. Muhammad Ali is first, and Claressa Shields is second. I am the greatest woman of all time."
Soon after making this confident statement, Shields became the undisputed female light middleweight champion, solidifying her status in the sport.
Laila Ali's Reaction and Rising Tensions
As a retired champion who earned her own recognition in women's boxing, Laila Ali was offended by Shields' comparison and perceived slight. Their rift deepened again in October after further comments from Shields.
"Actually, I'm not gonna lie, [Ann Wolfe] was the best in her (Laila Ali's) era, and I'm the best in this era. Laila Ali is just Muhammad Ali's daughter."
Details on Laila Ali’s Future in Boxing
The daughter of Muhammad Ali has also shared insights about her potential future within the sport, reaffirming her own identity beyond just being the legendary boxer's child.
Author's summary: Tensions between boxing icons Laila Ali and Claressa Shields persist after Shields’ confident statements about her legacy and dismissive remarks about Ali’s heritage and career.