Boxing Star Claressa Shields Says ‘I Want Respect’ As She Reflects On Multiple Olympic Gold Medals

Boxing Star Claressa Shields Says ‘I Want Respect’ As She Reflects On Multiple Olympic Gold Medals

Claressa Shields is commanding attention at the ESPN W Women’s Summit.

During a panel discussion, the two-time Olympic gold medalist emphasized her determination, stating,

“I want the money, I want the car, I want the bling, I want the recognition, I want respect. So what do you do? I said, you know what? They think I got lucky that I won the first Olympics, so we’re going to go back, and we’re gonna show them again because no other boxer in America had ever won two Olympic gold medals back-to-back.”

Claressa Shields didn’t shy away from discussing the challenges athletes face, explaining her mindset on overcoming obstacles.

“I just had to throw my hands up and thank God, because I was just like, when people tell you that something is impossible, you have to take off that ‘IM.’ It’s really you holding yourself back. If you think that something is impossible, it’s impossible. If you feel like it’s possible, then it’s possible. So don’t ever feel like you can’t do something because it hasn’t been done. You have to just go out there, put your best foot forward, and know that you have put in hard work and that you deserve to win.”

 

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As the only female fighter to win two Olympic gold medals and achieve undisputed champion status in two different divisions during the four-belt era, Shields has undoubtedly inspired future generations of athletes.

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