Laila Ali Declines Claressa Shields' $15 Million Fight Offer
Laila Ali firmly rejected rumors about a potential comeback to fight Claressa Shields, stating an unequivocal "absolutely not."
Reasons for Declining the Fight
In the second part of her "Set the Record Straight" segment on the Laila Ali KO podcast, Ali addressed Shields directly, explaining why she won’t end her nearly 20-year retirement for a match. Ali criticized Shields for repeatedly disrespecting her legacy as Muhammad Ali’s daughter and refused to give Shields the chance to profit at her expense.
“Did she make me mad enough to come out of retirement after 18 years and start training again to make her dream of fighting me and having a big payday courtesy of Laila Ali come true? Absolutely not,” Ali said in a reposted podcast clip.
Ali condemned Shields for years of false statements, disrespectful remarks questioning her boxing legacy, and using her deceased father’s name to undermine her.
“After years of blatant lies and vile disrespect, making unsolicited negative remarks about me, questioning the legitimacy of my boxing legacy, and having the audacity to cross the line by disrespecting my deceased father, trying to use his name to discredit his daughter.”
Shields' Comments on Muhammad Ali
Ali shared footage in which Shields referenced Muhammad Ali and implied that Laila lacks the “genes” to match Claressa's skills in the ring.
Summary: Laila Ali decisively refuses Claressa Shields' $15 million fight offer, denouncing Shields' disrespect to her legacy and family as the main reason for her refusal.