(This text initially appeared on USA TODAY.)
Boxer Claressa Shields is getting ready for a world title heavyweight bout towards Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2, however she’s pleased to debate preventing another person.
Jake Paul.
“I don’t know if it’s one thing that may occur, however I do know that I can whip Jake Paul’s (expletive) and people who find themselves towards which can be simply sexist they usually don’t know boxing,” Shields, probably the most embellished feminine boxer in historical past, informed USA TODAY Sports activities. “It’s very unusual to me that they assume {that a} YouTuber can beat a girl boxer who has two Olympic gold medals, (a number of) world titles and fought as a heavyweight. …
“He doesn’t have the expertise. They speak about energy. You possibly can have energy, however you bought to have the talents to land a punch.’’
A consultant for Paul didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark made by voicemail and textual content message.
Shields, 29, is 15-0 as a professional with three knockouts. She is 5-foot-8 and is predicted to weigh in at about 175 kilos for her second consecutive heavyweight bout.
Paul, 27, is 11-1 with seven knockouts and has fought principally as a cruiserweight, which has a 200-pound most at weigh-in. He’s coming off a victory over Mike Tyson by unanimous choice – which didn’t impress Shields.
“Jake Paul confirmed that he has not gotten higher together with his abilities,” she stated. “He wants to coach more durable and higher. And truthfully, I believe the woman that I’m on the brink of battle towards, Danielle Perkins, can beat Jake Paul, too.”
Shields’ beef with Paul seems to stem partly from Paul having picked Savannah Marshall to beat Shields in 2022. The one defeat of Shields’ profession got here towards Marshall as an beginner in 2012 on the world championships.
Shields avenged the loss by beating Marshall by unanimous choice.
“(Paul) tried to apologize and all that different kind of stuff after he picked Savannah to beat me in a battle,” Shields stated. “However (expletive) that apology. Battle me.”
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