Claressa Shields’ Latest Callout Will Break The Internet If It Happens

Claressa Shields has never been bashful when it comes to callouts, and as she sits on the cusp of an almost-certain successful title defense against Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2, the GWOAT launched a callout of arguably the biggest name she’s ever targeted.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-weight boxing world champion called out Jake Paul.

“I don’t know if it’s something that can happen, but I know that I can whip Jake Paul’s (expletive), and people who are against that are just sexist and they don’t know boxing,” Shields told USA Today Sports. “It’s very strange to me that they think that a YouTuber can beat a woman boxer who has two Olympic gold medals, (multiple) world titles, and fought as a heavyweight.”

I’m not sure how many people have weighed in on a potential fight between Paul and Shields, but it appears the latter feels she has gotten shortchanged in conversations about the proposed fight. In any case, Paul vs. Shields would generate an audience that could rival what we saw when the YouTuber-turned-boxer fought Mike Tyson in November on Netflix.

Shields is a star, but not on par with Tyson. However, the battle-of-the-sexes component would turn the fight into a social phenomenon. We have never seen a high-profile man-vs-woman clash in combat sports.

For the greatest women’s boxer in the world to fight arguably the most popular male fighter (it may be sad, but it’s true) would potentially break the internet.

Talking heads would debate whether Shields has a chance to beat a man: Will Paul take his foot off the gas if he hurts Shields? Will experienced fighters give Shields a chance to win? Is it even OK for this competition to take place? What athletic commission would sanction the contest?

There are so many potential talking points and questions, all of which would make it one of the top sports and social conversations around the world leading up to the fight. Paul and Shields would make insane money along the way, and smartly, that’s likely what Shields is thinking.

She has already exhausted every potential money fight in women’s boxing, and even the biggest fight against a woman wouldn’t generate a fraction of the revenue she’d make from fighting Paul. Shields knows this, and at 29, she has her mind on maximizing her time as a fighter. Shields’ biopic opened on Christmas Day in theaters. Her time is now to get paid for her talents and the pioneering role she has played in women’s boxing.

That said, she is also a competitor.

“He does not have the experience,” Shields said. “They talk about power. You can have power, but you got to have the skills to land a punch.”

Paul’s skills have improved since he turned pro in boxing, though most experts would not consider him advanced when it comes to the Sweet Science. That said, there is no denying his punching power. Paul has knocked out seven of the 11 men he’s faced.

Still, those accomplishments don’t impress Shields enough to believe he can defeat her in a boxing match.

“Jake Paul showed that he has not gotten better with his skills,” Shields said. “He needs to train harder and better. And honestly, I think the girl that I’m getting ready to fight against, Danielle Perkins, can beat Jake Paul, too.”

That’s a massive stretch. Perkins is 42 years old and is a modest 5-0 in her professional career after turning pro at 37. No one on Earth is giving her a chance to beat Shields, let alone a male fighter who has more professional fights and is 14 years younger. But I understand Shields’ point and promotion.

“(Paul) tried to apologize and all that other type of stuff after he picked Savannah [Marshall] to beat me in a fight,” Shields said. “But (expletive) that apology. Fight me.”

Shields does want to fight, but you could substitute “fight” for “pay” in the last sentence, and it would be just as accurate.

Paul probably wouldn’t fight Shields, if we’re being honest. He has painted himself as the Problem Child and he is a master promoter and a much better boxer than his critics give him credit.

That said, he doesn’t stand to gain much from fighting Shields. Paul could literally have his pick of the top fighters in the world, most of which would bring him a bag, and more clout than beating Shields.

If Paul knocked Shields out, he’s going to get a good amount of hate coming his way and very little praise. If he were to lose, like it or not, it will destroy what he’s been building in the ring.

I don’t blame Shields for shooting her shot. She has reached heights no one ever expected by going against the grain. That’s something she and Paul have in common.