Boxer Claressa Shields Challenges Jake Paul to a Match: ‘I Can Defeat Him’
Claressa Shields, the renowned boxer, is gearing up for a heavyweight championship fight against Danielle Perkins on February 2. However, she is also open to the idea of taking on another fighter.
That fighter is Jake Paul.
“I’m not sure if it will actually happen, but I’m confident I can take Jake Paul down. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just sexist and doesn’t understand boxing,” said Shields, who holds the title of the most decorated female boxer ever, in an interview with YSL News Sports. “It’s puzzling that some believe a YouTube star can defeat a woman boxer with two Olympic gold medals and multiple world titles, especially one who fights at heavyweight. …
“He lacks the necessary experience. People talk about his power; that’s only part of the equation. You need skills to actually land a hit.”
A spokesperson for Paul has not yet responded to requests for comments sent via voicemail and text.
At 29, Shields boasts a professional record of 15 wins and 0 losses, with three of those wins coming by knockout. She stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall and will likely weigh around 175 pounds for her upcoming heavyweight match.
Jake Paul, on the other hand, is 27 years old with a professional record of 11 wins and 1 loss, including seven knockouts, primarily fighting in the cruiserweight division, which has a maximum weight of 200 pounds. He recently won a unanimous decision against Mike Tyson, a result that did not impress Shields.
“Jake didn’t demonstrate any improvement in his skills,” she remarked. “He needs to put in more effort and refine his training. Honestly, the opponent I’m about to fight, Danielle Perkins, could probably beat Jake Paul too.”
Shields’ criticism of Paul partly relates to his earlier prediction that Savannah Marshall would defeat her in 2022. The only loss in Shields’ career happened against Marshall in 2012 at the World Championships when they were both amateurs.
Shields later avenged that defeat by winning against Marshall by unanimous decision.
“Paul tried to apologize after predicting that Savannah would beat me in a fight,” she explained. “But I’m not interested in his apology. I want him to fight me instead.”
