Laila Ali Says She’ll Come Out of Retirement to Fight Claressa Shields: ‘When It’s Personal That Starts a Fire’
Forty-two-year-old undefeated boxing champ Laila Ali recently said that she would come out of retirement to fight 24-year-old undisputed female middleweight champion of the world Claressa Shields.
Ali sat down for an interview on ESPN‘s “First Take” show and explained why. “She’s been calling me out. She’s taken offense to some things that I said in the past that had nothing to do with her, and people are asking me, ‘Would you come back?’,” Ali shared.
“Well, I have to be inspired by the opponent. I have to be inspired by the purse because I have multiple things going on, multiple streams of income. I don’t have to do it. I have to want to do it.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 13: Former boxing champion Muhammad Ali (C) waves to the crowd after being presented with the 2012 Liberty Medal, along side with his daughter Laila Ali (L), wife Lonnie Ali (2nd L), sister-in-law Marilyn Williams (Center R), and U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Clarissa Shields (2nd R) and Susan Francia (R) during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall on September 13, 2012 in Historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The National Constitution Center’s 2012 Liberty Medal ceremony recognized Muhammad Ali as a champion of freedom and a living embodiment of the Constitution who exemplifies everything the award was established to honor. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)
“Is she an inspiring opponent?” Ali was then asked. The champ who is the daughter of Muhammad Ali, replied, “Of course, absolutely, especially that mouth because when it’s personal that starts a fire.”
Are we about to see @TheRealLailaAli come out of retirement to fight @Claressashields??
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 21, 2020
"When it's personal ... that starts a fire." pic.twitter.com/CdlPv1FVhA
“I haven’t boxed in 13 years. I’m saying that there is definitely a possibility and I’m open to that possibility if the money is right. And when I say right, remember no woman has made even a million dollars including me. So if I couldn’t do it back then, we have to know that it has to be a promoter who has a vision and an understanding that this fight could be bigger and transcend boxing,” Ali explained.
“Because I’m going to bring the star power. You have an amazing athlete in Claressa Shields with a lot of heart, and she has been calling me out. She’s been calling me out since last year and she has taken offense to me responding.”
https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1230923080362446848
While responding to a fan on Twitter, Shields said that Ali will “have to learn the hard way.” “Cause I’m gonna hurt her! I’m tired of the talking and her hating! FIGHT ME! I’m gonna show her why they call me the GWOAT! Let’s go!” Shields continued on while responding to another fan.
https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1230926509847613441
https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1230950746377441280
It seems as if a lot of fans of Ali are totally for the idea of Ali coming out of retirement to fight the Flint, Michigan native. Laila Ali’s name began trending on Twitter once First Take tweeted the clip. Shields fans seem to be for it as well. Check out some of the fan responses below.
https://twitter.com/TheeJSam/status/1230908308720103430
Hop outta retirement and smash shields 🤔 pic.twitter.com/wi7DbfuQPd
— D’squarius Green jr (@w3st7) February 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1230951235525566465
There are PLENTY of ways to make the fight. It’s just a matter of whether she wants to or not.
— Tony Montano (@Make_Me_Pancake) February 21, 2020
She really think she can beat the GWOAT in her prime and hasn’t fought in 13 years? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/V9pYtmURH3
— Dwayne Wayne w/o the flip up glasses (@6ft6fatboy) February 21, 2020
Laila Ali, it’s time to give her the real business TKO on the way
— Alma Vinson (@alma_vinson9) February 21, 2020
Love her, everything about her but nah . Don’t do it . . Claressa is the truth RN , love her too but this isn’t a good idea . It will get ratings , possibly biggest woman’s fight ever . Not as hype about it
— insert clever name here (@name_aint_papi) February 21, 2020
That's like Mayweather coming out of retirement to fight Canelo....
— Beast (@2beastmode1) February 21, 2020
Not only that, we see men that box who don't even deserve the money get paid. She may also use the fact that she is undefeated to sell herself within those other income streams plus having to train for the fight will take up her time from those other income streams.
— BibbConti (@bibbconti) February 21, 2020
They're just looking to set up a Payday. And I'll be the sucker for it! #TeamLailaAli
— B.. You.. (@JustBYou13) February 21, 2020
Moneys gotta be right but she’s got “multiple streams of income.” Makes sense to me.
— Ty Hughes (@lilwyteboyee) February 21, 2020
I hope she Laila doesn’t fight Claressa. There’s no point in doing so. Plus @Claressashields would put a brutal beating on @TheRealLailaAli, there’s the age difference and the 13 years of inactivity that is against her.
— Ken (@Ken_FiveSolas) February 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShonTheDon93/status/1230932860262969344
I'll say it again where was all that confidence Laila Ali was you were running and hiding from Ann Wolf... pic.twitter.com/c3Mv4Pmjd0
— Shay (@sharock77) February 21, 2020
#EddieHearn is the only man that can make it happen.
— TheSalamProjectUK (@TheSalamProject) February 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/ChadashahEloah/status/1230940637622497280
https://twitter.com/DtwMimms/status/1230960075260530688
