Claressa Shields has started training camp for mooted intergender fight with Keith Thurman

Claressa Shields, the undisputed women's middleweight champion, claims she is in training camp for a spectacular intergender fight with former welterweight king Keith Thurman.

The Olympic Gold medalist 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.

She's defeated every woman she's stepped in the ring against but now the self-proclaimed 'GWOAT' wants to square off against Thurman, whose only career defeat came against Manny Pacquiao.

Shields put the challenge out on Monday, claiming that she could outbox him.

The three-weight world champion wrote: "I'll fight Thurman at 154lbs so serious. All the respect in the world to him too. I just think I can outbox him."

Thurman has been extremely inactive in recent times, fighting just once in the last four years. In response, he expressed his interest in a charity bout but requested that Shields wear bigger gloves and protective headgear as he doesn't "want to punch a girl in the face".

Shields, who was once challenged to a spar with Jake Paul, didn't like that comment one bit and fired back, pointing out that she is bigger and taller than Thurman and telling him to wear a "big cup shield".

The 28-year-old said: "Aww, Keith you are hilarious. 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.

"And lastly if we are 'sparring' of course I’ll wear a 'headgear' but for a charity event or raising money for a foundation you can keep the head gear bookie butt and you can wear a big cup shield cause I’m gonna punch you hard in the stomach like Luiz did."

But it seems as though Shields is not playing. On Tuesday, she tweeted to say she is now training with former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson.

Shields stated: "Camp started for Keith Thurman activated ! Let's go. I'm gonna get in the gym with Shakur Stevenson to help me prepare.'"

Stevenson added: "Let’s do it", accompanying the GOAT emoji.

Shields has gone on record to say 98 per cent of men can't beat her and now that comment may well be put to the test.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Boxing

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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