A Free Agent with a $4 Million Benchmark

Claressa Shields, the 30-year-old undisputed heavyweight champion, has made it clear that she is a free agent in boxing. With a career spanning over a decade, Shields has been a dominant force in the sport, never losing a fight at the professional or amateur level since 2012. Her impressive record, coupled with her charismatic personality, makes her an attractive prospect for any promoter.

Shields’ recent fight against Lani Daniels drew 15,000 fans to Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, with a staggering 71% of the tickets purchased by women. Her bout against Savannah Marshall at London’s O2 Arena in 2022 attracted a peak TV audience of two million, cementing her status as a major draw in the sport.

MVP, the promotional company owned by Jake Paul, seems like a natural fit for Shields, despite some public verbal sparring between the two. Shields has reportedly laid a strong claim to the women’s pound-for-pound number one spot, a title currently held by Katie Taylor. MVP has a roster of top fighters, including lightweight world champion Terri Harper and unified super-middleweight champion Shadasia Green, both of whom Shields has faced in the past.

However, Shields has stated that she is open to speaking with every promoter, and her demands are clear: a minimum of £3.8m per fight. This is a significant ask, and one that may be out of reach for most promoters. Nonetheless, Shields’ entertainment value both in and out of the ring makes her an attractive prospect for MVP and its Netflix partners.

Despite being an American, Shields’ promotional options in the US are limited. Top Rank, the long-time number one boxing promoter in the US, has no current TV deal and only two female fighters on its roster. Premier Boxing Champions, another major promoter, has no female fighters signed to its roster.

In the UK, Shields’ options are also uncertain. Matchroom, a prominent promoter in women’s boxing, has lost several top fighters to MVP in recent months. Shields’ previous promoter, Boxxer, is facing an uncertain future, with its broadcast deal with Sky Sports set to expire.

As Shields navigates her promotional options, her next fight is also a topic of interest. A potential bout against Laila Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, has been linked, although it is unclear whether this fight would be competitive. Shields has also been linked with a fight against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, a unified middleweight champion and old rival.

Ultimately, Shields’ decision will depend on finding a promotional partner that aligns with her vision and meets her financial demands. With a career as storied as hers, it is clear that Shields will continue to be a dominant force in the sport, regardless of who she chooses to partner with.