Laila Ali Shuts Down Claressa Shields Fight Rumors With Blunt Response: “Absolutely Not”

Laila Ali Shuts Down Claressa Shields Fight Rumors With Blunt Response: “Absolutely Not”

Boxing icon Laila Ali has made it crystal clear that she has no interest in returning to the ring — especially not for a long-discussed matchup against Claressa Shields.

In a video shared on October 16 to her YouTube channel, the undefeated former world champion addressed Shields’ ongoing public callouts, which have reignited in 2025 after the two traded comments online. Shields, 17 years Ali’s junior, previously said she’d fight Ali if offered a large enough purse — even showing up with a $15 million check addressed to her name.

Ali, who last fought professionally in 2007, said the repeated taunts and remarks had finally reached a breaking point.

“After years of blatant lies and vile disrespect, making unsolicited negative remarks about me, questioning the legitimacy of my boxing legacy, and having the audacity to cross the line by disrespecting my deceased father,” she said.

Ali added that although she once publicly praised Shields, her view has since changed.

“Of course, at the time, I was not aware of [Shields’] divisive, vindictive, and malicious nature. And I know those are strong words, but they actually fit.”

The 24-0 legend then posed her own rhetorical question before delivering her definitive answer.

“So, did her plan work? Did she make me mad enough to come out of retirement after 18 years and start training again, to make her dream of fighting me, and having a big payday, courtesy of Laila Ali, come true? Absolutely not,” Ali said.

She went on to emphasize that Shields’ behavior had crossed too many lines to ever merit a fight.

“[Shields] will not be rewarded with the opportunity to share the ring with me, or anything else. There’s your answer.”

Ali also teased that she plans to release a part two video soon, which will address whether she intends to respond to Shields’ challenge “once and for all.”

With that final word, Ali’s message to fans — and to Shields — was unambiguous: the long-imagined super-fight isn’t happening.