Claressa Shields Responds to Jake Paul Fight Challenge: “He Can’t Beat Me”
Claressa Shields, an undisputed female middleweight champion and one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, has spoken out about a potential fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. While Paul has built a reputation for calling out professional fighters, including some of the biggest names in boxing, Shields, a true champion in the sport, believes there’s no way Jake Paul could defeat her in the ring. In a recent interview, Shields addressed the growing debate, confidently declaring that her boxing skills far outclass anything Paul brings to the table.
As a multi-weight world champion and a trailblazer in women’s boxing, Shields has accumulated impressive accolades throughout her career. She’s one of only four boxers in history—female or male—to hold all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) in two weight classes. Shields is widely recognized for her fierce dedication to the sport and technical boxing prowess, while Jake Paul has made waves as a YouTube star-turned-professional boxer. Though he has gained popularity by defeating former fighters and building a string of wins, Shields believes there’s a stark difference between their skill sets.
Claressa Shields: A Champion’s Career
Claressa Shields’ career has been a testament to her unmatched talent in boxing. She first gained international recognition when she became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing in 2012. Since turning professional, Shields has made history time and time again, holding multiple world championships across five different weight classes. Most notably, she became the undisputed female middleweight champion twice and earned the undisputed light middleweight title in March 2021.
Shields’ ability to dominate in multiple weight classes and her legacy of holding all four major world titles in both the middleweight and light middleweight divisions has cemented her as one of the best boxers in the sport. Her achievements have led to accolades such as being named the best active female boxer by both ESPN and The Ring, and her overall skill set is widely regarded as unparalleled in women’s boxing. Shields’ performances are consistently backed by her technical ability, speed, and power, with her undefeated record speaking volumes about her dominance in the ring.
Jake Paul: From YouTube Star to Boxer
Jake Paul, a former Vine star who later transitioned into a YouTube sensation, has garnered fame not only for his internet presence but also for his boxing career. With an extensive social media following and a flair for controversy, Paul first entered the boxing world in 2018, facing off against fellow YouTuber Deji Olatunji. Despite starting with white-collar boxing matches, Jake Paul quickly transitioned to professional bouts and began calling out well-known fighters.
His early victories against names like Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, and Tyron Woodley helped solidify his reputation in the boxing world, though many critics claim his opponents were not high-level fighters. Paul’s boxing style and technique have been questioned, with many believing his success can largely be attributed to his celebrity status and promotional tactics rather than true boxing skills. However, Jake Paul’s personal brand as a fighter has continued to grow, and he’s built his own boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, to support his career.
In 2023, Jake Paul faced his first true test against Tommy Fury, an active professional boxer. Paul lost the bout via split decision, highlighting the difference between celebrity boxing and the level of skill seen in competitive, professional boxing. Nevertheless, Paul continues to face off against high-profile names, including his most recent fight against Mike Tyson in November 2024, which Paul won in a historic bout. Yet, the legitimacy of Paul’s career in the boxing world remains a subject of debate.
Shields’ Response to Jake Paul’s Challenge
When asked about a potential fight with Jake Paul, Claressa Shields did not hold back in her response. The undisputed champion made it clear that she doesn’t believe Paul has the skill or experience to defeat her in the ring. “There’s no way Jake Paul can beat me,” Shields asserted. ”
Shields emphasized that her boxing career is based on years of hard work, discipline, and accomplishments that have taken her to the top of women’s boxing. She pointed out that her skill set, built through consistent training and actual championship-level bouts, is vastly superior to Paul’s, who is still considered a novice in the sport by many critics. Shields’ confidence stems not only from her undefeated record but also from her extensive experience in high-stakes competitions, where she has faced the toughest opponents and risen to the occasion each time.
The Public Battle: A Clash of Styles and Status
The challenge of Jake Paul calling out established fighters, including legends like Canelo Álvarez, continues to stir controversy and debate. His approach to the sport often raises questions about what it truly takes to be considered a legitimate boxer. While Paul has a knack for attracting attention, Claressa Shields, on the other hand, is a seasoned fighter whose dominance in the sport speaks for itself. Their contrasting career paths and motivations highlight the disparity in their approaches to boxing.
Shields’ challenges with Jake Paul represent a larger conversation about celebrity influence in sports. While Jake Paul is undeniably skilled at creating buzz and making a spectacle of his bouts, Shields’ career is rooted in years of dedication and mastery of the craft. The debate between celebrity boxing and traditional, world-class boxing is one that many are keeping an eye on, especially as figures like Shields continue to prove that success in the ring takes more than just an internet following.
Why Claressa Shields Will Always Be a True Champion
Unlike Jake Paul, who is still carving out his boxing legacy, Claressa Shields has already cemented hers in history. As the first female boxer in history to hold all four major titles—WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO—in two different weight classes, Shields has set a standard that many believe Paul will never reach. Her technical proficiency, powerful fighting style, and unwavering focus on competition have made her one of the sport’s most respected figures.
With her record as the best active female middleweight and pound-for-pound ranking, Shields’ legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time continues to grow. Her dedication to the sport and her ability to dominate at the highest level of competition proves that real champions don’t just talk—they deliver in the ring. Her statement regarding Jake Paul is just another reminder that, in boxing, true skill and experience cannot be substituted by celebrity status or viral videos.
A Historic Match
The debate over a potential fight between Claressa Shields and Jake Paul showcases the growing divide between traditional boxing and the world of celebrity boxing. While Jake Paul has gained attention for his victories and his ability to create massive media events, it’s clear that Claressa Shields’ extensive experience and achievements in the ring place her in an entirely different league. Shields’ response to Paul’s challenge highlights the difference between the world of genuine boxing champions and the spectacle-driven nature of celebrity fights.
As Shields continues to solidify her place in boxing history, Jake Paul’s future in the sport remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: while Paul may generate buzz, it’s Shields who commands respect as one of the most dominant figures in the world of boxing.
