Boxing

Claressa Shields Responds To Jake Paul’s Muhammad Ali Comparison

Claressa Shields swipes dig at Jake Paul for Muhammad Ali comparisons.
Apratim Banerjee|
Claressa Shields speaks to media during the final press conference on May 31, 2023.
Claressa Shields speaks to media during the final press conference on May 31, 2023. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Claressa Shields doesn't think Jake Paul should compare himself to Muhammad Ali. Ahead of his fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 'The Problem Child' claimed he was the best thing in boxing since Muhammad Ali.

Paul said, "I feel like I am the only one doing it [protecting boxing]. Everyone else is just trying to gatekeep or sell that they're doing things for the sport or something is bad for boxing. But, I am the greatest thing to happen to boxing since Muhammad Ali and there's no even debating that. What I have done speaks for itself."

Shields, meanwhile, once again showed that she carries women's boxing with her win against Lani Daniels. Her achievements are off the charts and she's the current undisputed heavyweight champion.

Claressa Shields says two others should be compared to Muhammad Ali; not Jake Paul

Claressa Shields thinks herself, Deontay Wilder, and Terence Crawford are fighters who deserve to be compared to Muhammad Ali, not Jake Paul. Speaking ahead of her fight against Daniels, she said:

"I am close to being compared to Muhammad Ali, Deontay Wilder was close to being compared to Muhammad Ali, even Terence Crawford. I would never put Jake Paul in that mix. I really got nothing against him. It is what it is, he changed the sport of boxing."

Paul's boxing skills remain under scrutiny. He beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his last fight via unanimous decision, but fans still aren't sold on him.

One thing is for certain, Paul knows how to make headlines, and the YouTuber turned pro-boxer has made significant progress in promoting women's boxing through MVP Promotions.

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Apratim Banerjee
APRATIM BANERJEE

Apratim is a Boxing and Soccer reporter for On SI. He has been in the industry for five years, having also worked for The Sporting News, Sportskeeda, EssentiallySports, and more. After coming from an engineering background, he started pursuing a career in sports media. Apratim also holds an MSc. Sport Marketing degree from Loughborough University London and is a keen practitioner of social media and digital marketing. In his spare time, Apratim likes to play an array of sports and practice calisthenics. He is also an avid enthusiast of improving his martial arts skills.