Claressa Shields: Cris Cyborg Is Nothing But A Damn Clout Chaser

In an exclusive interview with VegasInsider.com, Claressa Shields shared insights into her upcoming fight against heavyweight champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27. Shields, making her debut in the heavyweight division, expressed confidence and determination as she prepared to face this new challenge. In the interview, the GWOAT also talked about the phenomenon of YouTuber-boxing, Deontay Wilder’s latest bout, and her feud with Cris Cyborg. 

Before we head into the interview, if you want to place a bet on Claressa Sheild’s upcoming fight, or any other sporting event on the calendar, don’t forget to use our exclusive bet365 bonus code. 

Cris Cyborg Feud

Regarding her ongoing feud with Cris Cyborg, Shields did not hold back. 

"Cris Cyborg is shit. And you can put that there. She does not want to fight against me in a boxing match. She's using my name for headlines." Shields revealed a significant financial offer for a potential fight that Cyborg turned down. "I had a five-million-dollar deal with the people from Saudi Arabia for me and her to fight, and she turned it down. She would have gotten a few million and I would have gotten a few million."

Shields made it clear she's ready for Cyborg at 154 lbs, saying, "If Cris Cyborg fights me at 154 lbs, we can make the fight happen. I don't know what she's crying about. Fight me at 154. I’m going to dog walk her like I do everybody else.” 

“Cris Cyborg is nothing but a damn clout chaser, and she knows that she can't beat me in boxing, cause she knows that I took it easy on her and I respond, and I still beat her up.” 

“Cris Cyborg just needs to stop now. That's an old lady right there, who needs to retire, and find her something to do with her life. That's what she needs to do. She needs to retire. Stick to MMA. In boxing, I will wash her!"

Claressa Shields

Game Plan and Threats

When asked about her upcoming fight and her game plan against Lepage-Joanisse, Shields was unequivocal in her belief in her abilities:

"I think I can threaten her in all areas. I'm very skilled and very fast. I may not be as strong as her, but I will be fast and I will be more skilled." She added, "As far as training camp goes, I'm just putting on a little bit of weight and adding some muscle."

Claressa Shields

Strengths and Style

Shields emphasized her combat prowess and resilience when asked what her biggest strengths are, compared to Lepage-Joanisse: 

"I think my biggest strength is that I like to stand there and fight. I'm very good in my defense; I'm defensive and offensive. I think I have a lot of courage - a lot of heart. Once people get hit hard in boxing, they kind of don't want to fight anymore, but when I get hit hard, I want to hit you back harder than you hit me."

Claressa Shields

Transitioning to Heavyweight

Discussing the transition from middleweight to heavyweight, Shields noted:

"I think that I'll be a lot stronger than I usually am. I'm always in great shape for my fights. Now I don't have to cut 20-30 lbs, so I'll be stronger and I'll still have my speed and my abilities. The difference is you have to eat a little bit more. That's about it. I also have to spar against bigger people." 

Claressa Shields

YouTuber-Boxing and Jake Paul

Shields also shared her thoughts on the growing trend of YouTuber-boxing, specifically the buzz around Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Initially skeptical, she now sees the value in these matches. 

"When the YouTubers were fighting against the YouTubers, and they were making more money than the boxers, I was a little livid. But now I have learned so much about how they make their money, and how YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook can be used as tools. I don't have a problem with anybody doing what they want to do. If these YouTubers want to get in there and get punched and want to punch other people, have at it."

Claressa Shields

She continued, "I'm happy that Jake Paul is now fighting real fighters. I'm not really too appealed about the fight between him and Mike Tyson. Not because Mike Tyson is not great, it's just that he's 57-58 years old now." 

Shields acknowledged the positive impact of YouTuber-boxing, stating, "To me, it's helping the sport. At the end of the day, we need the attention, we need the fans, not just the boxing fans, but the casual boxing fans. And I think they are making boxing bigger. Those who are boxing enthusiasts, I don't think care too much for the fights, but for me it's entertaining and it's bringing more attention to boxing, and that's what we need.”

“Jake is doing what he has to do to get the casual boxing fans, and they are putting butts in seats, and that's really what matters. I pray that Mike Tyson comes out healthy and everything is good in the fighting."

When asked about potentially replacing Mike Tyson if he couldn't fight, Shields dismissed the notion, highlighting the gender biases in boxing. 

"They'll never let a woman fight against a man, as great as I am and as many belts as I have. Even though I spar against men all the time, actually letting a man fight against a woman, and also me beating a man, would, I think, mess up the whole boxing world."

“They have this concept that where men are so much more powerful than women, and it's not real. Men do that for their ego. It's not something that's true.”

“If I were to prove that it's not true, they would probably say it's a hoax, and say that there's no way she beat Jake Paul. That it’s a circus or whatever. But boxing is boxing, and I respect his boxing.”

“If you ask me if Mike Tyson is not able to be in the fight in November, who would I want to see him fight? I don't know his options, but I just wish him the best in what he's doing, but I'm not a Jake Paul fan if I'm honest with you."

Claressa Shields

 Deontay Wilder's Future

Reflecting on Deontay Wilder's recent fight against Zhilei Zhang, Shields showed empathy for her friend. "I've been asked about Wilder for a minute, and he's a close friend of mine, so I don't really like speaking about him. But I feel like when any fighter is ready to retire, they should retire. I hated seeing him get knocked out that way."

Shields hopes Wilder retires on his own terms, saying,

“But that's not the Deontay Wilder, the champion, that I know. He's not as heavy as he used to be, he's not as confident as he used to be, and he's older now. It's really up to him, but I just want to see him go away from the sport gracefully, on his own terms. Leave healthy, with his money, in his right mind. So when he's ready to retire, I hope he does it the right way, with the right people around him."

Claressa Shields

With unwavering confidence and a relentless drive, Claressa Shields is set to make her mark in the heavyweight division while continuing to challenge the norms and expectations within the sport of boxing.