Laila Ali vs. Claressa Shields A Real Possibility?

Could an intergenerational women's super fight be in the works?

Laila Ali, former boxing champion and daughter of Muhammad Ali, during the annual Smart Women Luncheon and Expo on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Savannah Convention Center. / Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Claressa Shields bills herself as the “GWOAT” and is keen to square off against the daughter of the GOAT in a potential boxing match or exhibition. Forty-six years old, Laila Ali may consider returning to the ring to face Claressa Shields.

“Such a fight would be a moment that transcends generations – one legend proving her dominance today, and another returning to test herself against the very best of this era,” said promoter Dmitry Salita in an exclusive interview with KO on SI.

Laila Ali may have the age, but she also participated in the first superfight in women’s boxing history—a match against the daughter of Joe Frazier. Ali took on Jacqui Frazier-Lyde in a fight built as Ali-Frazier IV on June 8, 2001, at the Turning Stone Casino in Syracuse, New York. The fight was entertaining and garnered decent media attention.

The possibility springs from the growing beef between the two legends after Ali urged Shields to “stay humble” in a recent media appearance.

Shields and Laila have traded public barbs in the past, and this is hardly the first time they have been linked to a fight.

"She's Jealous."

Claressa Shields Reacts To Laila Ali's Interview With Andre Ward And Says She Got Further In Her Life And Career Than Laila Ali .

(🎥Claressa Shields/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/MprDhEG0ae

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) January 18, 2025

Shields After winning gold in the 2012 Olympics is normally enough for an American fighter to launch a pro career. There was little economic opportunity. However, Shields began training for a second Olympic run in 2016, which she also won.

As a professional, the Michigan native is the only boxer, male or female, to hold all four respected world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) in three different weight classes, making her a three-division undisputed champion.

Ali overcame her father’s hesitations to become a world champion, and women’s boxing was still in its infancy. In one statistical category, Ali stands out. She ended her career with 24 wins, including 21 by knockout. Conversely, Shields has had three knockouts in her first 16 fights.