Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, has strongly pushed back against what she views as disrespectful comments made by Claressa Shields about her and her late father. The tension between these boxing champions resurfaced after Shields' bold declaration regarding her place in boxing history.
"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."
Soon after this proclamation, Shields became the undisputed female light middleweight champion, reinforcing her confidence with outstanding performance.
The retired champion, who has established her own legacy in women's boxing, was offended by Shields' comparison and perceived slight. The situation intensified in October when Shields made further remarks:
"Actually, I'm not gonna lie, [Ann Wolfe] was the best in her (Laila Ali's) era, and I'm the best in this era. Laila Ali is just Muhammad Ali's daughter."
Laila also shared insights about her potential future in the sport, though specifics were not detailed in the given text.
Author's summary: Laila Ali firmly rejects Claressa Shields' disrespectful comparisons, defending her own and her father's legacy while highlighting ongoing rivalry in women's boxing.