Tag: Laila Ali

Fight Week: Claressa Shields vs. Marie-Eve Dicaire headlines PPV card

Fight Week: Claressa Shields-Marie-Eve Dicaire headlines a pay-perv-view card on Friday.

FIGHT WEEK

Three-division titleholder Claressa Shields returns to the boxing ring against Marie-Eve Dicaire in an all-woman pay-per-view show Friday night in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich.

***

SERHII BOHACHUK (18-0, 18 KOs)
VS. BRANDON ADAMS (22-3, 14 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdxDXZrpEs

  • When: Thursday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Municipal Boxing Gym Felix Pagan Pintor, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
  • TV/Stream: NBC Sports Network
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Danielito Zorrilla vs. Ruslan Madiyev, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Bohachuk UD
  • Background: Bohachuk couldn’t have had a better start to his professional career, having stopped all 18 of his opponents in six rounds or less since turning pro in 2017. However, Adams, a former title challenger, represents a step up in opposition for the 25-year-old Ukrainian. The Los Angeles resident, a solid boxer-puncher, lost a wide decision to middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo in June 2019 but bounced back to stop Sanny Duversonne in two rounds this past December. Bohachuk was last in the ring last September, when he knocked out Alejandro Davila in six rounds in Mexico. Bohachuk is ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, Adams by one.

***

CLARESSA SHIELDS (10-0, 2 KOs) VS.
MARIE-EVE DICAIRE (17-0, 0 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1P0kH0_w_U

  • When: Friday, March 5
  • Where: Dort Financial Center, Flint, Mich.
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view (FITE TV)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Shields’ WBC and WBO, Dicaire’s IBF and vacant WBA titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raquel Miller vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middlweights; Danielle Perkins vs. Monika Harrison, six rounds, heavyweights; Nadia Meknouzi vs. Samantha Pill, eight rounds, light heavyweights
  • Prediction: Shields UD
  • Background: Shields and Dicaire are the first women to headline a pay-per-view card since Laila Ali outointed Jacqui Frazier in 2001. The fight was originally set for May but was postponed multiple times, which accounts for Shields’ long layoff. She last fought in January of last year, when she defeated Ivan Habazin by a near-shutout decision to capture two vacant junior middleweight titles. DiCaire, who has been out of the ring since November 2019, will be making the fourth defense of her title. Shields is thrilled to be in the featured fight of a pay-per-view event. She told ESPN: “I’m super excited to be having my first pay-per-view card and I’m hoping that everybody who has been waiting on me to fight, everybody that supports me, that they all get behind me and get behind the women athlete movement and just join us because not only are we yelling equal pay, equal opportunity, equal TV time, we’re also working just as hard. We’re equally working.” Shields has begun training for her MMA debut.

[lawrence-related id=18160,17176,15949]

***

TONY YOKA (9-0, 7 KOs)
VS. JOEL DJEKO (17-2-1, 8 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1MsVzZHudU

  • When: Friday, March 5
  • Where: H Arena, Nantes, France
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (unlimited)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Estelle Yoka Mossely vs. Verena Kaiser, 10 rounds, lightweights
  • Prediction: Yoka UD
  • Background: Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, is looking to take another step toward his first shot at a world title. The 6-foot-7 Frenchman is coming off a shutout decision over Christian Hammer this past November, also at the H Arena. The 28-year-old Parisian has yet to fight outside his native country. Joel Tambwe Djeko is a 31-year-old Belgian who is based in Essex, England. He’s coming off a first-round knockout of John Cortez in January of last year, his eighth consecutive victory.

Fight Week: Claressa Shields vs. Marie-Eve Dicaire headlines PPV card

Fight Week: Claressa Shields-Marie-Eve Dicaire headlines a pay-perv-view card on Friday.

FIGHT WEEK

Three-division titleholder Claressa Shields returns to the boxing ring against Marie-Eve Dicaire in an all-woman pay-per-view show Friday night in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Mich.

***

SERHII BOHACHUK (18-0, 18 KOs)
VS. BRANDON ADAMS (22-3, 14 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdxDXZrpEs

  • When: Thursday, Feb. 27
  • Where: Municipal Boxing Gym Felix Pagan Pintor, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
  • TV/Stream: NBC Sports Network
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Danielito Zorrilla vs. Ruslan Madiyev, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Bohachuk UD
  • Background: Bohachuk couldn’t have had a better start to his professional career, having stopped all 18 of his opponents in six rounds or less since turning pro in 2017. However, Adams, a former title challenger, represents a step up in opposition for the 25-year-old Ukrainian. The Los Angeles resident, a solid boxer-puncher, lost a wide decision to middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo in June 2019 but bounced back to stop Sanny Duversonne in two rounds this past December. Bohachuk was last in the ring last September, when he knocked out Alejandro Davila in six rounds in Mexico. Bohachuk is ranked by two of the four major sanctioning bodies, Adams by one.

***

CLARESSA SHIELDS (10-0, 2 KOs) VS.
MARIE-EVE DICAIRE (17-0, 0 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1P0kH0_w_U

  • When: Friday, March 5
  • Where: Dort Financial Center, Flint, Mich.
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view (FITE TV)
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • At stake: Shields’ WBC and WBO, Dicaire’s IBF and vacant WBA titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Raquel Miller vs. TBA, 10 rounds, junior middlweights; Danielle Perkins vs. Monika Harrison, six rounds, heavyweights; Nadia Meknouzi vs. Samantha Pill, eight rounds, light heavyweights
  • Prediction: Shields UD
  • Background: Shields and Dicaire are the first women to headline a pay-per-view card since Laila Ali outointed Jacqui Frazier in 2001. The fight was originally set for May but was postponed multiple times, which accounts for Shields’ long layoff. She last fought in January of last year, when she defeated Ivan Habazin by a near-shutout decision to capture two vacant junior middleweight titles. DiCaire, who has been out of the ring since November 2019, will be making the fourth defense of her title. Shields is thrilled to be in the featured fight of a pay-per-view event. She told ESPN: “I’m super excited to be having my first pay-per-view card and I’m hoping that everybody who has been waiting on me to fight, everybody that supports me, that they all get behind me and get behind the women athlete movement and just join us because not only are we yelling equal pay, equal opportunity, equal TV time, we’re also working just as hard. We’re equally working.” Shields has begun training for her MMA debut.

[lawrence-related id=18160,17176,15949]

***

TONY YOKA (9-0, 7 KOs)
VS. JOEL DJEKO (17-2-1, 8 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1MsVzZHudU

  • When: Friday, March 5
  • Where: H Arena, Nantes, France
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (unlimited)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Estelle Yoka Mossely vs. Verena Kaiser, 10 rounds, lightweights
  • Prediction: Yoka UD
  • Background: Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, is looking to take another step toward his first shot at a world title. The 6-foot-7 Frenchman is coming off a shutout decision over Christian Hammer this past November, also at the H Arena. The 28-year-old Parisian has yet to fight outside his native country. Joel Tambwe Djeko is a 31-year-old Belgian who is based in Essex, England. He’s coming off a first-round knockout of John Cortez in January of last year, his eighth consecutive victory.

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward, Wladimir Klitschko elected to Hall

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Wladimir Klitschko have been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The International Boxing Hall of fame Class of 2021 will be remembered as one of the strongest. And perhaps one of the most controversial.

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Wladimir Klitschko have been elected in the Modern category, it was announced Tuesday. Missing out are Miguel Cotto and James Toney, fighters with solid Hall of Fame credentials who fell victim to the system.

Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe were elected in the women’s Modern category.

Of course, Mayweather, the greatest boxer of his era, was a no-brainer. “Money” finished his career 50-0 and retired as the sport’s biggest attraction.

“It is a great honor for me to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-ballot nominee and a member of the 2021 class,” Mayweather said. “Throughout my career, I gave everything I could to the sport of boxing, and now, to be recognized by one of the most prestigious honors in the sport for that hard work and dedication is very humbling.

“I am looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in June and being honored alongside the other members of the class of 2021, too.”

Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) was a superb boxer who won major titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. He also was the last American man to win an Olympic gold medal.

“I’ve been waiting for this call for most of my life,” he said. “It finally came. I’m a first-ballot Hall of Famer. God has been good to me. I can finally rest now. This chapter of my life is complete.”

Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) overcame some early-career slipups to rule the heavyweight division for a decade. He also was an Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine.

He joins his older brother, Vitali, in the Hall.

“Thank you for the great news; it is an honor to be a Hall of Famer,” Klitschko said. “I’m so impressed with the dedication and passion the Village of Canastota has for boxing. All of the champions feel so honored and blessed to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s amazing.”

The problem for Cotto and Toney was that only the top three vote getters – from members of the Boxing Writers Association of America – are guaranteed election. Others must receive votes on 80% of the ballots for induction. Obviously, Cotto and Toney fell short.

They’ll have to wait another year, although they will then compete with a new wave of fighters who become eligible for the first time.

Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) follows her father – Muhammad Ali – into the Hall. She is arguably the greatest female boxer of all time.

“Being that my father was also inducted many years ago, it makes this honor extra special to me,” Ali said. “I learned so much inside the ring that I have applied to every area of my life outside of the ring. Boxing will forever be my first love. …

“And knowing that I will be on the Hall of Fame Wall, inspiring others who come behind me for years to come, is a blessing that I will never take for granted.”

Wolfe (24-1, 16 KOs) doesn’t have the name recognition of some female boxers but she was a gifted, imposing figure in the first years of the 21st century. She went on to become a trainer.

Also elected were boxers Davey Moore, Jackie Tonawanda and Miriam Trimiar; cut man Freddie Brown; trainer/manager Jackie McCoy; journalist George Kimball; and Showtime executive Jay Larkin.

Those elected this year will be inducted in June of next year in Canastota, N.Y., assuming the coronavirus virus allows it. The Hall of Fame canceled induction ceremonies this year because of the pandemic.

The Class of 2020 — including Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker — will enter the Hall with the Class of 2021.

[lawrence-related id=14458]

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward, Wladimir Klitschko elected to Hall

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Wladimir Klitschko have been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The International Boxing Hall of fame Class of 2021 will be remembered as one of the strongest. And perhaps one of the most controversial.

Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Wladimir Klitschko have been elected in the Modern category, it was announced Tuesday. Missing out are Miguel Cotto and James Toney, fighters with solid Hall of Fame credentials who fell victim to the system.

Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe were elected in the women’s Modern category.

Of course, Mayweather, the greatest boxer of his era, was a no-brainer. “Money” finished his career 50-0 and retired as the sport’s biggest attraction.

“It is a great honor for me to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-ballot nominee and a member of the 2021 class,” Mayweather said. “Throughout my career, I gave everything I could to the sport of boxing, and now, to be recognized by one of the most prestigious honors in the sport for that hard work and dedication is very humbling.

“I am looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in June and being honored alongside the other members of the class of 2021, too.”

Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) was a superb boxer who won major titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. He also was the last American man to win an Olympic gold medal.

“I’ve been waiting for this call for most of my life,” he said. “It finally came. I’m a first-ballot Hall of Famer. God has been good to me. I can finally rest now. This chapter of my life is complete.”

Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) overcame some early-career slipups to rule the heavyweight division for a decade. He also was an Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine.

He joins his older brother, Vitali, in the Hall.

“Thank you for the great news; it is an honor to be a Hall of Famer,” Klitschko said. “I’m so impressed with the dedication and passion the Village of Canastota has for boxing. All of the champions feel so honored and blessed to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s amazing.”

The problem for Cotto and Toney was that only the top three vote getters – from members of the Boxing Writers Association of America – are guaranteed election. Others must receive votes on 80% of the ballots for induction. Obviously, Cotto and Toney fell short.

They’ll have to wait another year, although they will then compete with a new wave of fighters who become eligible for the first time.

Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) follows her father – Muhammad Ali – into the Hall. She is arguably the greatest female boxer of all time.

“Being that my father was also inducted many years ago, it makes this honor extra special to me,” Ali said. “I learned so much inside the ring that I have applied to every area of my life outside of the ring. Boxing will forever be my first love. …

“And knowing that I will be on the Hall of Fame Wall, inspiring others who come behind me for years to come, is a blessing that I will never take for granted.”

Wolfe (24-1, 16 KOs) doesn’t have the name recognition of some female boxers but she was a gifted, imposing figure in the first years of the 21st century. She went on to become a trainer.

Also elected were boxers Davey Moore, Jackie Tonawanda and Miriam Trimiar; cut man Freddie Brown; trainer/manager Jackie McCoy; journalist George Kimball; and Showtime executive Jay Larkin.

Those elected this year will be inducted in June of next year in Canastota, N.Y., assuming the coronavirus virus allows it. The Hall of Fame canceled induction ceremonies this year because of the pandemic.

The Class of 2020 — including Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker — will enter the Hall with the Class of 2021.

[lawrence-related id=14458]

Christy Martin believes Laila Ali would KO Claressa Shields

Christy Martin believes that Laila Ali not only would beat Shields if they were to fight, she would do it easily.

Conventional wisdom is that a young, prime Claressa Shields would be too much for a 42-year-old who hasn’t fought in 13 years. Laila Ali has at least one person in her corner, though: former opponent Christy Martin.

Martin believes that Ali not only would beat Shields if they were to fight, she would do it easily. Ali stopped Martin in four rounds in 2003.

“I think Laila smokes her,” Martin told RingTV.com. “It takes her now six or seven rounds whereas back when she fought me it would probably take her the same amount of time that she got rid of me. At least that fast, if not faster,”

Of course, we might never know how that fight would play out. Shields and Ali, now a television personality, have expressed interest in fighting one another but evidently it would take a fortune to lure Ali out of retirement.

And for the record: Shields and Martin have not been on the best of terms. They’ve exchanged unfriendly posts on social media, which apparently started when Martin questioned Shields’ contention that she’s the greatest woman boxer of all time.

In fact, Martin doesn’t believe that Shields is even the best woman boxer today. She thinks lightweight titleholder Katie Taylor is No. 1.

“Even though Katie Taylor’s been in a lot of close, controversial fights, maybe she’s the most solid skilled fighter,” Martin said. “She’s in a weight class where there are other very skilled competitive fighters, much like in the ’90s, when between 135 and 147 there was a s–tload of really good women’s fighters. That’s kind of where she is right now.

“She’s there where there’s more talent that will push her which in the long run will make her better. I know there’s still a lot of controversy about [the Delfine Persoon fight] in The Garden. It was very close but I think she’s solid. I like her.”

Martin was recently selected to be part of the first class of women boxers in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Video: Claressa Shields says she’s moving on from Laila Ali

Talk of a showdown between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali might’ve hit a roadblock. Shields, a guest on The Ak & Barak Show, said the 42-year-old Ali has expressed no genuine interest in coming out of retirement for the intriguing matchup. As a …

Talk of a showdown between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali might’ve hit a roadblock.

Shields, a guest on The Ak & Barak Show, said the 42-year-old Ali has expressed no genuine interest in coming out of retirement for the intriguing matchup. As a result, Shields, 25, told hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess, she has no choice but to move on to other options.

Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) is a two-time Olympic champion who has emerged as one of the biggest stars in women’s professional boxing. Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) hasn’t fought since 2007.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer a1lFTzW3]

 

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Video. Laila Ali reiterates that she wants to fight Claressa Shields

Mark Taffet: Ali vs. Shields could be one of biggest pay-per-view fights

Claressa Shields to Laila Ali: Stop asking for insane split

Video: Laila Ali reiterates that she wants to fight Claressa Shields

Laila Ali reiterated on The Ak & Barak Show that she wants to fight Claressa Shields. However, she said the deal has to make sense for her.

The talk of women’s boxing these days is a potential fight between Claressa Shields and Laila Ali. But is a showdown between one of today’s top stars and one from the past a realistic possibility?

Well, the 42-year-old daughter of legend Muhammad Ali and former world champion reiterated on The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, that she wants the fight. However, she said the deal has to make sense for her to come out of retirement.

Ali last fought in 2007.

Here’s the conversation between Ali and hosts Akin “Ak” Reyes and Barak Bess.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer eB6C0oSQ]

 

 

Mark Taffet: Ali vs. Shields could be ‘one of biggest pay-per-view fights’

Mark Taffet, the manager of Claressa Shields, says a fight between Shields and Laila Ali could do big pay-per-view numbers.

Laila Ali got a taste of the potential of pay-per-view when her fight with Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Joe Frazier’s daughter, generated a reported 100,000 buys 2001.

That number is nothing compared to what a much-talked-about showdown between the daughter of Muhammad Ali and two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields could do today. At least that’s how Mark Taffet, Shields’ manager, sees it.

And Taffet should know. He was HBO’s pay-per-view guru when he was a vice president with the premium cable company.

“It can not only be one of the biggest female pay-per-view fights, but I can make it one of the biggest pay-per-view fights — period,” Taffet told BoxingScene.com. “Hopefully they step up. Claressa has the confidence and she wants to step up to the plate and be a game changer. Laila can do the same. I hope she and her team engage in significant conversations.

“We would love to bring that fight to the public. They will make more money than they ever dreamed of. I will marshal every single resource to make sure we get the best revenue.”

Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) has quickly emerged as a star in the professional ranks, winning titles in three divisions in only 10 fights. The 25-year-old turned pro in 2016, shortly after winning her second gold medal.

Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) was a dominating fighter in her day but she’s 42 and hasn’t fought since 2007. She’s now a TV host.

That isn’t lost on Taffet, who understands that Ali would need time to get into fighting shape.

“We wouldn’t want her in the ring if she was not at her best, mentally and physically,” he said. “That takes time. We can make sure the best version of Laili Ali fights so that the public knows it’s getting the best fight possible. If marketed and publicized appropriately, it would make it a significant event.

“If Laila steps up, I can make that deal in a day. All we need are willing participants on the other side. Ali has to walk it, not talk about it. If they will, I will take them on a journey they will never regret.”

He went on: “It’s a big commitment to come back. We recognize that. I understand and respect that greatly. It’s hard to say if a fight can get done. I hope Laila believes in herself the same way we do in ourselves. When the best fight the best, there are no losers. The public loves it.”

Claressa Shields to Laila Ali: ‘Stop asking for insane split’

Claressa Shields hopes to fight Laila Ali someday, but hopes Ali comes back down to earth with her exorbitant financial demands…

Claressa Shields thinks Laila Ali needs a reality check.

The current women’s three division titleholder is up for fighting Ali, the former face of women’s boxing. She’s just not convinced that Ali’s financial terms are realistic.

On Monday, the Flint, Michigan native posted a tweet laying down her concern.

“Lol I’ll do whatever to get a fight made with me and Laila Ali,” Shields wrote. “She is the one asking for 5 million and also wants to be the A-side if we fight knowing damn well she is not relevant in today’s time! I’m the current reigning world champion.”

The two have exchanged jabs through the media since the beginning of the year. In an interview with ESPN, Ali said she was interested in the fight “especially [because of Shields’] mouth. When it’s personal that starts a fire, right? And when the money’s right and it makes sense, then why not?”

Shields-Ali (or is it Ali-Shields?) would be big. Shields just isn’t convinced it’s $5 million big.

“When I hear a[n] official ‘I’m out of retirement’ talk then I’ll believe it,” Shields wrote in another tweet. “Also when her team starts talking “REAL NUMBERS” and splits. Not saying that me and her can’t generate 15 million or 5 million. Just saying that it hasn’t been proven in our sport yet.”

If Ali, the daughter of heavyweight great Muhammad Ali, is serious, Shields says, she can make a formal announcement ending her retirement.

“Stop asking for insane split,” Shields wrote in another follow-up tweet. “It’s ridiculous. Also come out of retirement. Make an official announcement and say you are not retired. No one believes the talk coming from her. I’m fighting and taking all challenges! Not hard to make a fight with me.”

Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza believes the fight could actually happen despite the exorbitant financial demands. Showtime has been the broadcasting home for the majority of Shields’ professional career. 

“The Ali thing seems very real,” Espinoza said on the Showtime Boxing Podcast. “There’s a lot of talk about the financial requirements, and that’s always an important part of every deal.

“But I think it’s real. Certainly I know from Claressa she would love the opportunity, and everything that I’ve heard and read it’s a realistic possibility from Laila’s side. I think that’s certainly the biggest fight that can be made.”

Claressa Shields vs. Laila Ali? Gauntlet thrown down

Laila Ali and Claressa Shields exchanged some spirited public trash talk. Could it be a precursor to a showdown in the ring?

Claressa Shields has the medals and the belts. Laila Ali has the name.

Shields’ decorated resume and Ali’s legendary name have placed them on opposite sides of a noisy debate, a trash-talking confrontation that Laila’s famous father mastered during a heavyweight reign remembered for Muhammad Ali’s fast hands and faster words.

Shiields says her three division belts and two Olympic gold medals make her the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time). No way, says the daughter of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

Laila Ali, now 42, is quick to remind Shields, 24, that she was unbeaten. She went 24-0, scoring 21 knockouts, as a super middleweight between 1999 and 2007. Shields, also unbeaten, has two knockouts in 10 fights.

“First of all, she could never beat me,’’ Ali said late last week on Sway in the Morning, a Sirius XM show featuring talk on music and culture.  “Let me get that really straight right now. Not simply because she’s not strong enough, because I would definitely knock her out, because she’s not talented enough.

“You’re talented. You can box. You can throw those hard punches. But there’s a sweet science to boxing. The reason you have not been able to knock out the opponents that you have faced, I can totally see it.”

Shields, never shy, seized on the opportunity to respond, telling TMZ Sunday that Ali built her record against “soccer moms and probably strippers.’’

Shields suggested that women’s boxing has changed. She said she faces real fighters.

“Let’s just keep it honest,’’ said Shields, who defeated Ivana Habazin by a unanimous decision to win a junior middleweight title on Jan. 10. “Don’t say that I’m not talented, because I’m the most talented female fighter there has been in the history of boxing. Laila Ali is all bark, no bite. If a girl call me out, I answer.’’

Shields also urged Laila Ali to make a comeback. Their respective nicknames, “T-Rex” and “She Bee Stingin’”, might look good on a fight poster.

“We can make it happen if she really wants to make it happen,” Shields said.

Shields said the winner would get $10 million and the loser $5 million. But it’s not clear where that money would come from.