Claressa Shields said she could use one hand while sparring ‘regular Joe’ Jake Paul
Paul’s wins over Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in 2021 did little to legitimize him as a high-level boxer in the eyes of Claressa Shields, who calls herself the GWOAT (greatest woman of all-time) having won multiple world titles across five different weight classes.
The undefeated Shields is ranked as the pound-for-pound best female fighter in the world by both ESPN and The Ring. Unsurprisingly, an abundance of accolades have left the 30-year-old with a high level of self-belief.
That was on display three years ago when she assessed how a sparring session with Paul would go during an interview with Sky Sports.
“I don’t know what world people live in that they think a man (could beat me) who has not been to the Olympics, who has not fought professionally,” Shields said. “There are a lot of women in boxing who could (out-box) men, especially a regular joe like Jake Paul!
“I know it’s too much to fight him because it would be too embarrassing (for him), but if I were to spar Jake, I could use one hand. Just my jab, I wouldn’t even have to use the banger. Just my jab – I would out-jab, out-hook, and out-uppercut him. I would embarrass him.
“This isn’t a shot at Jake Paul. This is how skilled I am. You’re not as great a boxer as me,” Shields added. “This isn’t disrespectful. I am a skilled boxer – respect it and know it.
“Just because I’m a woman? This is real-life stuff. I box for real. I’m not a play-fighter.”