Mark Taffet – Syndication Server

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]

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

Claressa Shields to Laila Ali: Stop asking for insane split

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.”

Video: Boxing champion Claressa Shields getting her MMA kicks

Claressa Shields, preparing to make her MMA debut sometime soon, posted a video on Twitter showing her kicking a bag for the first time.

Claressa Shields’ manager said a few weeks ago that the three-division titleholder could make her Mixed Martial Arts debut sometime in the near future. Well, she evidently is preparing for that eventuality in earnest.

Shields posted a video on Twitter showing her training in kicking for the first time, evidence that she is dead serious about giving MMA a try.

She said on the post: “Lol first time ever throwing a kick in my life! But as promised! Save the criticism, you guys couldn’t throw a jab like me on the first day To be continued though, I enjoyed practice.”

Mark Taffet, her manager, told ESPN that he and his client believe she can continue to box and pursue a second career in MMA simultaneously. Taffet said he has talked to representatives of several MMA outlets about the crossover.

Lol first time ever throwing a kick in my life! But as promised! Save the criticism, you guys couldn’t throw a jab like me on the first day 🥊❤️ To be continued though, I enjoyed practice pic.twitter.com/6ARbaHdpVd

— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) February 7, 2020

“There hasn’t been a conversation about moving full time,” Taffet said. “It’s all been a discussion about being the next great two-sport athlete.”

Shields, 24, has trained with MMA stars Cris Cyborg and Kayla Harrison and, according to ESPN, had plans to work with UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones sometime this month.

“She got her feet wet athletically, her toe in the water athletically,” Taffet said a few weeks ago. “The next step for us would be to look at a few different trainers and coaches and speak to them and then decide who an appropriate coach and trainer would be and then make a plan for her to begin training while she continues to blaze trails in boxing.”

Shields told ESPN last year that she wouldn’t want to enter the octagon unless she trained in MMA for a year.

“Just the stuff that I don’t know, like jiu-jitsu and kicking and all that stuff if I wanted to consider it,” said Shields, who was less serious about the move at the time.

Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) is coming off a one-sided decision victory over Ivana Habazin on Jan. 10. That victory gave her titles in three weight classes in only 10 fights, which is a record regardless of gender.

Claressa Shields’ manager: She could have first MMA fight this year

Claressa Shields’ manager, Mark Taffet, said the three-division boxing champion could have her first MMA fight before the end of the year.

Claressa Shields’ manager said it’s possible she will have her first cage fight before the end of year.

Mark Taffet told ESPN that he and his client believe the three-division titleholder can continue to box and pursue a second career in Mixed Martial Arts simultaneously.

“There hasn’t been a conversation about moving full time,” Taffet said. “It’s all been a discussion about being the next great two-sport athlete.”

Shields, 24, has trained with MMA stars Cris Cyborg and Kayla Harrison and, according to ESPN, plans to work with UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones next month.

“She got her feet wet athletically, her toe in the water athletically,” Taffet said. “The next step for us would be to look at a few different trainers and coaches and speak to them and then decide who an appropriate coach and trainer would be and then make a plan for her to begin training while she continues to blaze trails in boxing.”

Shields told ESPN last year that she wouldn’t want to enter the octagon unless she trained in MMA for a year.

“Just the stuff that I don’t know, like jiu-jitsu and kicking and all that stuff if I wanted to consider it,” said Shields, who was less serious about the move at the time.

Said Taffet: “Claressa doesn’t put timetables on it because she is carefully and rigorously investigating all aspects of the sport and the organizations. But we would like to do something in the cage at the end of 2020 or surely within 12 months.”

Taffet said he has spoken with all four major promotions – UFC, Bellator, PFL and ONE Championship — about working with Shields but no decisions have been made.