Hana Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali and sister of Laila Ali, is defending Laila against Claressa Shields after the decorated boxer called the boxing legend too “scared” to fight her.
Claressa Shields Secures $15 Million Deal To Fight Laila Ali After Legend Demands Big Bucks
As we previously shared, Laila Ali, 47, and Claressa Shields, 30, have been going back-and-forth online for years, dating back to January 2018. In 2020, after some back-and-forth, Laila demanded $5 million to fight Claressa. Then things really ramped up in January 2025, when Andre Ward asked Laila if she had beef with Claressa. She claimed she had no hard feelings. But after the interview, Claressa took the legend’s comments as a direct shot and responded to everything.
Months after January’s drama, Laila Ali addressed rumors of returning to boxing from retirement to face Claressa Shields. While speaking with FightHype after the Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight on July 11, Laila was at first asked, “Where did that rumor come from?” While replying, she demanded $15 to $20 million to sign a contract and enter the ring.
“The rumor that I heard was that I said, ‘Unless somebody had $15-$20 million, don’t even call me about this. That’s all I heard. Unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we’re not even going to have a conversation. I’m not trying to come back and fight. But, if someone offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it. Do I look like I can fight again? I think so too.”
Claressa caught Laila’s interview and replied on X, stating:
“What a great weekend of boxing 🥊! Really motivated! Now @TheRealLailaAli I’m the GREATEST NOW! Be careful what you ask for ! You know I’ve been wanting to make you eat your words! You not a better boxer than me & at 175 I’ll put you on your back! BEEN READY FOR YOU! #GWOAT #ClaressaShields.”
Claressa Shields Says Laila Ali Declined Fight After Claiming She ‘Wants To Whoop Her Disrespectful A**’ And ‘See Her Get Dusted’ After Trolling Her $15 Million Boxing Request
On August 5, Laila took to her Instagram to promote her new cooking show and Persian cucumber recipe. She also trolled social media users wanting an answer for Claressa’s still-standing boxing request. She said:
“To answer the question that I know many of you, who are poking around and waiting for me to give you an answer… The answer is, yes. I am going to answer your question…when I’m good and ready to do it. Because you know what? Nobody calls the shots on me. I do things when, and how, and where I like to do them. Bye. Love you guys.”
Reacting, Claressa Shields began replying to comments on Hollywood Unlocked’s Instagram post. One social user wrote, “Don’t nobody want to see Laila get dusted.” Claressa replied, “I want to see it lol.”
Another user wrote, “I don’t understand why fighting this woman at 47 years old will make her feeling like the greatest. lol it’s not like she’s flighting her in her prime.” Claressa replied, “Naw, you missing it. I’m already the greatest! I just want to whoop her a** ’cause she always disrespecting me and talking sh*t.”
On August 7, TMZ reporters asked Claressa Shields about Laila Ali and she claimed the legend is scared to fight her. She told the publication:
“Layla and her representatives have told us no. Like, the answer is ‘no.’ She doesn’t want to fight. And that’s fine. I have no problem with that. I’m not upset. I mean, I wouldn’t fight me either. You know what I’m saying? I understand that she’s scared. I’m moving on. I thought that she was about all that talk. She wanted $15 million. I went and got the $15 million. And now it’s all this backpedaling. So, you know, congrats to her on whatever she’s doing. But I’m moving on with my career. Layla is scared to fight me, and I would be scared to fight me, too. I get it.”
Claressa also said in women’s boxing, the best fight the best, referencing the Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano trilogy. She explained, “We’re in a generation now where the women fight each other. We don’t duck each other. And back in [Laila’s] generation, that’s all she did. So it is what it is.”
When asked if she’s lost respect for the 24-0 boxing legend for seemingly ducking the fade, Claressa said yes. She said:
“Absolutely, listen, Muhammad Ali would never. Her daddy would never. Her daddy would never. If you called out Muhammad Ali, he was coming to check you, and he was coming to lay hands on you. Maybe she don’t have that in her genes.”
RELATED: Muhammad Ali’s Ex-Wife Khalilah Ali Believes Laila Ali Will Get ‘Whooped’ By Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields Tells Rick Ross Laila Ali Is ‘Scared’ To Fight, Hana Ali Defends Boxing Legend Sister
Laila recently did an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta, during which she addressed her claims of needing $15 to $20 million to come out of retirement and fight Claressa. Laila emphasized that she said if presented the money she would think about it. She said:
“Please don’t say her name. She just pops up. It’s the funniest question. I said that, ‘If someone offered me $15 to $20 million, I would think about.’ I would think. And then, of course, the person that you just mentioned just inserted herself into the conversation. But, again, I will tell you this. Right now, I’m so focused on [my new Food Network show ‘Chef Grudge Match‘] and everything that I’m doing. I’m a mom. I’m a wife. I got a lot going on. But, the world will know my answer and where I stand with boxing very soon.”
Rapper Rick Ross reacted to a headline about Laila’s comments. He did so by also tagging Claressa and her boyfriend, rapper Papoose, to make it happen. Claressa replied to Rozay and said, “@TheRealLailaAli is scared Boss!!!”
Hopping in Hollywood Unlocked’s comment section on Instagram, Hana Ali took up for sister Laila. Hana said, respectfully, Claressa, 30, is a decorated boxer, but Laila, 47, is more lethal, regardless of age. She wrote:
“All the chatter reminds me of when my father was gearing up to fight George Foreman… or when Foreman made his own comeback. Both moments shook up the world.
Now, I don’t know how much shaking Laila would really need to do – because half the world already knows: the only thing that age gap would do (to put it diplomatically) is slow down how fast Laila wins the fight!
Laila is my sister — but l’m not saying this just because we’re family. Claressa Shields is a great fighter and her gold medals are a meaningful accomplishment. They open doors and put a fighter on the map. But they don’t determine who hits harder or who fights with more instinct. They’re a stepping stone, not a final measure of greatness.
The biggest mistake people made was thinking Laila was too pretty to be dangerous. She sparred only with men — and had real knockouts for a reason. She loves to talk fight because it’s in her DNA. Honestly, Claressa should be grateful she came up in boxing after Laila retired.
Still, if it did happen-whether Laila was 50 or 60 – the power in her punch, and her ability to absorb one, would remind Claressa exactly why she holds such deep respect for our father… and it would speak louder than any medal ever could. That being said, I wish Claressa the best.”
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