Claressa Shields has never been one to hold anything back and in early July became the latest fighter to accept a challenge from an online critic. Unsurprisingly, the undisputed women's middleweight champion won the "fight" in just 30 seconds.
Shields' team recorded the entire sparring session in which both women wore protective gear but appeared to have no physical restraint. After brief taunts from the unnamed woman challenging the 29-year-old, Shields cornered her before unleashing a barrage of punches, forcing her opponent to leave the ring.
The video soon after made its way to X, where MMA and boxing fans alike expressed mixed opinions on the interaction. Most fans felt the sparring session was an absurd acceptance from the critic but some disapproved of Shields' actions.
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One fan compared the boxer's beatdown to similar actions of former UFC champion Sean Strickland, commenting:
"Claressa Shields is taking a page from the Sean Strickland play book."
Shields did not reveal what the woman criticized her about but the general knock on her career has been her lack of power with just two knockout wins through 12 professional boxing fights. As such, many other fans mocked the champion for not being able to knock out the woman, who appeared to have no formal training, despite "winning" in under a minute.
Other commented:
"NGL this weak as hell"
"Can't even knock down a random"
"Pros vs. Joes. Real life is so much different than the internet"
View more fan reactions to Claressa Shields fighting an online troll below:
Who could Claressa Shields face in her next fight?
Claressa Shields may be conquering online trolls in her spare time but on July 27, 'The GWOAT' will return to the boxing ring and attempt to conquer another division. Already a three-division world champion, Shields will challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC and WBF women's heavyweight titles.
Per Boxrec, the fight will also be for the vacant WBO women's light heavyweight belt. It will be held in Shields' home state of Michigan from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The undefeated top pound-for-pound female boxer also confirmed in 2023 that she signed a multi-fight extension with the PFL and intends to continue competing in both sports. Shields is expected to face former boxing rival Savannah Marshall later in MMA following the latter's successful debut in the cage at PFL Europe 2.