Women's Boxing Champion Claressa Shields Says '98 Per Cent Of Men Can’t Beat Me'

Claressa Shields has laid claim to being the second greatest athlete of all-time behind legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

And on top of that, she also reckons '98 per cent of men in the world' wouldn't stand a chance against her in the ring.

The WBC and WBO light-middleweight title holder is set to go toe-to-toe with Marie-Eve Dicaire in a bid to add the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine belts to her growing collection.

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But speaking ahead of her unification bout, Shields didn't seem too bothered about the woman she'll be facing come fight time on Saturday (AEDT).

Instead, the two-time Olympic gold medallist took the time to acknowledge the greats that came before her while also discussing where she fits into the ongoing "GOAT debate".

"I don't box for a hobby. It's not a hobby. It's my career, and I feel like people underestimate me when I speak about how great I am," Shields said.

"But if I didn't say how great I am, no one in this room would have ever called me great because they don't recognise it. Only the greats know that they're great.

"Like Muhammad Ali. Nobody called him the greatest of all time. They actually called him the 'Louisville Lip' because he talked too much.

"If he had never said he was the greatest of all time, he would have never been considered the greatest. No matter what boxer comes along, nobody can get in front of Muhammad Ali. That's how I feel about myself.

"Muhammad Ali is first, and Claressa Shields is second. I am the greatest woman of all time, and 98 per cent of men in the world can't beat me."

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While her achievements inside the ring speak for themselves, there's plenty of other reasons why Shields is known by so many combats sports fans around the globe.

Not only has she been at the forefront of fight against racial injustices throughout her decorated career, but she's also had a fair few run-ins with various people.

Most recently, she vowed to "beat the s**t" out of Jake Paul after the YouTuber-turned-celebrity-boxer went on a social media spree calling out countless professional boxers and mixed martial artists.

"I've been boxing for 14 years, two Olympics, but they would still give Jake Paul the nod because he's a man. And it's like, you guys don't know nothing!" she said at the time.

"Jake Paul is making his money, he's doing his thing, but stay away from us real fighters.

"Anybody out there that say, 'Oh, Jake Paul will destroy her because she's a woman...' I'm the greatest woman!" she said.

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"So, no, Jake Paul won't do nothing with me and if he think he can, he can come see me.

"I, Claressa Shields, will whoop Jake Paul's ass! He can come in the ring weighing 180 pounds and I will come weighing 168 and I will beat the s**t out of him!"

Topics: Boxing News, Boxing, Claressa Shields, Jake Paul, muhammad ali, Australia, Debate

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry