Laila Ali hits back at Claressa Shields for disrespecting Muhammad Ali

Laila Ali Responds to Claressa Shields' Remarks

Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, strongly responded to what she views as disrespectful comments made by Claressa Shields about both her and her late father.

Background of Their Tension

The ongoing tension between these two boxing stars resurfaced after Shields boldly declared her place in boxing history in 2021:

"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."

This confident claim was quickly backed by Shields' performance, as she became the undisputed female light middleweight champion just days later.

Laila Ali's Reaction

Laila Ali, a retired champion who made a name for herself in women's boxing independently, took offense to Shields' comments. She felt that the comparison downplayed her own achievements and disrespected her father's legacy.

Claressa Shields' Further Comments

The divide deepened in October when Shields added:

"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."

Laila Ali's Future in Boxing

Alongside addressing the remarks, Laila Ali also shared details about her potential future involvement in the sport, though specifics remain limited.

Author's summary: Laila Ali firmly rejected Claressa Shields' perceived disrespect toward her and Muhammad Ali, highlighting ongoing tension between the two boxing champions.

more

MARCA MARCA — 2025-10-31

More News