Claressa Shields isn’t just breaking records—she’s breaking barriers. The undisputed boxing star just signed an $8 million multi-fight deal, and while the money makes headlines, Shields is more excited about the message it sends to the next generation of fighters. Speaking to HOT 97, she made it clear: this is about more than her own success—it’s about creating a blueprint for women in the sport.
“Overall, I think it’s definitely gonna influence,” Shields said. “If I can do an $8 million deal, I know the girls who are coming up—they can make $20 million, $25 million. It’s putting a lot of hope and faith in that. These girls wanna fight the best and wanna train to be the best, so I can just be happy with that.”
For Shields, every achievement has been earned the hard way. “I didn’t get this just by… it’s been great to get $8 million, it’s been great to do it after my first, second, third, fourth… my third division faster than any man or woman would have,” she told HOT 97. With 19 world championships, two Olympic gold medals, and titles across five divisions, Shields’ record speaks for itself—but she’s just as focused on teaching what it takes to reach the top.
Shields: Hard Work Meets Opportunity
“It’s all about creating a blueprint and these girls respecting the blueprint and actually doing it,” she added. “I just never quit and never gave up. Just because you think it’s your time sometimes, it’s not. But right now, I’m still in my prime, I’m still healthy, I’m still No. 1 in the world, I’m the best, and I can still take advantage of all my opportunities. When opportunities meet hard work, that’s when you get success.”
Shields’ new deal isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a roadmap for the sport. By proving what’s possible, she’s showing young women in boxing that ambition, discipline, and relentless work can pay off in ways the sport has never seen before. Shields isn’t just winning in the ring—she’s rewriting the rules.
