Claressa Shields-Laila Ali: Will the GWOAT and Muhammad Ali's daughter finally fight

Shields is never short of confidence, and that is hardly a surprise given what she has already achieved in her career at the age of 30.

The American superstar won two Olympic golds and two World Championship titles as an amateur and has claimed world honours in five different weight divisions since switching to the professional ranks.

She is also the only boxer – male or female – to be the undisputed champion in three different weight classes. It is hard to see what else she can do to further her legacy, which begs the question: if she gets past Daniels, what’s next?

Well, the outspoken Shields has talked up a potential super-fight with Laila Ali – the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali. But is it realistic?

Ali’s inactivityGregory Shamus/Getty Images

Laila followed in her father’s footsteps to win titles in two divisions during her own career before retiring undefeated with 24 wins to her name, including 21 knockouts.

She is widely regarded as one of the best female fighters ever. There’s just one issue – she has not boxed since 2007.

Ali is now 47 and has been retired for almost two decades. In the meantime, she has developed into a TV personality, appearing on some of America’s biggest shows including Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer.

Yet she has remained in tip-top condition since hanging up her gloves and has teased a dramatic comeback to take on Shields.

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Shields calls Ali’s bluff

In order to make a return, Ali has made it clear she wants to be paid well. She recently claimed it would take a purse of $15million to tempt her back into the ring for the Shields showdown.

Shields responded by posing with a cheque displaying that figure to make a statement that she wants to do everything possible to get the fight made.

But Ali has been talking about this fight for several years and it hasn’t materialised yet.

Back in 2020, she insisted a bout with Shields was “absolutely possible” but conceded she would no longer be the same force she was in her prime.

Five years down the line, Ali is unlikely to be in better shape, and the window is closing on finally making this fight happen.

Shields has family plans

Shields revealed this week that she wants to have a baby within the next 12 months as she looks to start a family.

She plans to return to boxing after giving birth, but having a child would keep her out of the sport for a significant period.

If she goes through with her family plans next year, the timeline to face Ali becomes very limited.

It would have to happen next as Ali would be pushing 50 by the time Shields came back into the sport.

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Pacquiao shows Ali the way

If Ali needed any inspiration for a comeback, she need look no further than Manny Pacquiao’s performance last weekend.

Pacquiao returned from a four-year absence to push WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios all the way to a majority draw in Las Vegas.

The Filipino legend is 46 and proved fighters can make successful comebacks after a lengthy hiatus.

Of course, there is a big difference between being away from boxing for four years and the 18 years it has been since Ali last laced up her gloves.

Ali would have a lot of ring-rust to shake off and must decide whether she really wants to risk her unbeaten record against Shields after being retired for so long.

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Will Shields vs Ali happen?

Shields likes to put on a show, but she is running out of legitimate opponents. Calling out an all-time great with a legendary father is certainly a smart business move on her part.

Ali also seems to be on board if the funds can be raised to give her a career-best payday.

And that’s ultimately what it may all hinge on – money. There would be plenty of interest in two greats of the sport facing each other, with fans eager to see if Ali has still got it.

There is also genuine animosity between the pair, meaning the build-up to the fight would be electric.

If promoters can get together and ensure both women are paid well, we could finally see Shields vs Ali, and someone’s 0 would have to go.