Claressa Shields Makes a Massive Power Move After Legend Demands $15M

Jul 18, 2025 8:05 PM EDT

A massive power play has the combat sports world buzzing as Claressa Shields takes control.

Claressa Shields isn’t just prepping for another bout—she’s setting the stage for history. Her July 26 showdown at heavyweight against Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit is another tough test, but whispers of something bigger are stealing the spotlight. Talk of a collision with a true legend—a 24-0 icon with 21 knockouts and wins over Christy Martin and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde—just turned into something serious.

TMZ’s Michael J. Babcock lit the match with a viral video: the GWOAT is making boss moves. Shields and her team didn’t just talk—they showed up with the $15 million that the legend demanded for a comeback, a figure she originally stated as $15–20 million in a video captured by Fight Hype.

Claressa Shields \ Getty Images

In an X post, the caption read: ‘Laila Ali said she wanted at least $15 MILLION to consider returning to the ring for a super fight with @Claressashields. Shields says she has the money — and the ball is now in @TheRealLailaAli’s court!’ Translation? Claressa got the bag.

On camera, Shields kept it raw: ‘Laila, I’m here with my team, we got the $15 million, let’s make the fight—the best vs the best.’ Manager Mark Taffett, once the head of HBO Pay-Per-View, backed her up and revealed AT&T Stadium and T-Mobile Arena are ready to host. He even credited Ruben Branson’s Wynn Records for making the deal possible.

Laila Ali \ Getty Images

If this fight happens, it’ll smash records and rewrite boxing history. Until then, all eyes shift to Detroit. Shields needs to handle business on July 26—and the better she looks, the louder the pressure gets on the legend to say yes.