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Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields has reignited her feud with Jake Paul, openly questioning his boxing abilities and asserting she could defeat him in the ring.
Shields, one of the sport's most decorated fighters, made her stance clear in a recent interview with USA Today Sports, reigniting debates about the legitimacy of Paul's boxing career.
Shields' criticism follows Jake Paul's unanimous decision win over 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a special-rules fight at Cowboys Stadium.
While the event faced widespread backlash, it also became a commercial success, further boosting Paul's profile in the boxing world. Despite this, Shields remains unimpressed with his skills, though she acknowledged his role in drawing more attention to the sport.
Shields challenges Paul and labels critics 'sexist'
Shields didn't mince words when addressing Paul's rise as a boxer.
"They criticize him because of who he picks to fight, not exactly how he fights," Shields told TMZ.
However, her tone has since sharpened. Shields confidently declared she could defeat Paul and criticized those doubting her capabilities.
"People who are against that are just sexist, and they don't know boxing," she said.
"It's strange to think a YouTuber can beat a woman with two Olympic golds, multiple world titles, and heavyweight experience."
She also took a jab at Paul's recent performance against Tyson, suggesting her opponent, Danielle Perkins, could perform better against him. Shields even claimed she would secure a knockout if they ever faced off.
"I get him by stoppage KO," she posted on Twitter.
Could Shields vs. Paul happen?
While Shields' confidence has sparked interest, a fight with Jake Paul faces logistical and cultural hurdles. Male-female matchups are rare in boxing but not unprecedented, such as Margaret MacGregor's victory over Loi Chow in 1999.
A clash between Shields and Paul would undoubtedly generate significant buzz, given their contrasting fan bases and personalities.