Claressa Shields attends the 2023 ESPYs Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/FilmMagic)
*Claressa Shields, an undisputed women’s middleweight champion, is preparing for a thrilling fight with former welterweight champ Keith Thurman.
As Daily Mail reports, Shields claims she is in training camp after challenging the former male welterweight champion to a fight on Monday.
During an exchange that started on Twitter, Shields bragged that she is “bigger” and “taller” than Thurman.
“I’ll fight Thurman at 154lbs so serious. All the respect in the world to him too. I just think I can outbox him,” the Olympic gold medalist wrote.
In response, Thurman said he would consider a charity fight. He also requested that Shields wear bigger gloves and protective headgear.
Claressa Shields has officially called out Keith Thurman for a fight at 154 lbs. This would be the first time in boxing history when a female fighter fights a male fighter. pic.twitter.com/UFujwpkt4B
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) August 1, 2023
“I don’t want to punch a girl in the face,” Thurman posted. To which Shields replied: “Aww, Keith you are hilarious.”
Shield added, “Yes, you are a man and champion, but you are not good enough to only use one hand on me.”
“Now for charity or raising money for a foundation, we can definitely do it. I’ll come in at 160 too, I’m actually bigger than you and taller,” Shields wrote.
WBA welterweight super champion Keith Thurman poses on the scale during his official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 19, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Shields claims she started a special camp to train for the fight. As Daily Mail reports, she Tweeted: “Camp started for Keith Thurman activated ! Let’s go. I’m gonna get in the gym with [former two-weight world champion]Shakur Stevenson to help me prepare.”
Per Sport Bible, Shields “is undefeated with a perfect 14-0 record and retained the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles in her last bout against Maricela Cornejo in Detroit, Michigan in June,” the outlet writes.
READ MORE: Boxer Claressa Shields Channels Kobe Bryant’s Winning Streak
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