Claressa Shields calls out America's treatment of Olympic medal winners: "You still have to fight for your right to be recognized"

Claressa Shields recently shared her thoughts on how Olympic medal winners were treated in America. Shields pointed out how Olympians in America struggled to get recognized for their achievements and had to strive hard to make money even after bringing glory to their nation on an international platform.

The undefeated and undisputed light middleweight champion has one of the most impressive amateur records in women's boxing. In the women's middleweight division, Shields won two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, becoming the first American boxer to win consecutive gold medals.

Ahead of her highly anticipated bout against WBC heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on July 27, Shields spoke to The Sporting News in an interview. Complaining about the plight of Olympians in America, she said:

"In some countries, when you win the Olympics, male or female, some countries will give you a house and a car and take care of you for life. Here in the USA, you can win a gold medal, you can win two gold medals, and you still have to fight for your right to be recognized, fight for sponsorships, fight for money. [H/T SportingNews.com]

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When Claressa Shields dismissed Ryan Garcia's peculiar "superhuman" baby request

Earlier this year, Ryan Garcia had an unusual exchange with Claressa Shields on social media. During a private interaction with the women's boxing star, Garcia seemingly suggested that their baby would be "superhuman" in nature.

In an X post, @BoxingKingdom14 posted screenshots of Garcia's DM conversation with Shields. 'KingRy' seemingly asked Shields if she was interested in procreating and having his child. He wrote:

''If we had a baby, the baby would be superhuman."

The undisputed women's light heavyweight champion promptly rubbished his request and asked him to get some help for his mental health.

''You need help Ryan.''

This isn't the first time Shields has had to shut down a male counterpart. Last year, the widely regarded women's boxing GOAT verbally tussled with Rolly Romero and vowed to "embarrass" him in the squared circle. This was due to Romero reacting to a clip of her getting knocked down by a male boxer during a sparring session.