Claressa Shields GWOAT claim grows stronger after latest win
Claressa Shields has done it again. Over the weekend, she cruised to a dominant unanimous decision over Lani Daniels to retain her status as the undisputed women’s heavyweight champion of the world. The judges barely had to think about it: 100-90, 99-91, 99-91. In short, Daniels didn’t win a single round on one card — and barely got a look in on the others.
It was the kind of performance we’ve come to expect from Shields. Sharp, disciplined, composed, and ultimately levels above her opponent. And while some fans might argue she’s never had a true rival to really test her at this weight, that’s not really her fault. She’s cleared out every division she’s entered. There’s only so many mountains to climb when you’re standing at the peak already.
hree-weight undisputed — a feat no one else can touch
Let’s be honest — love her or not, the achievements speak for themselves. Claressa Shields is the only boxer in the history of the sport, male or female, to become an undisputed champion in three separate weight divisions.
That’s not just special. That’s unprecedented.
From super welterweight to middleweight and now heavyweight, she’s taken on the best available and beaten them all. Not scraped through. Not nicked decisions. She’s dominated.
In a sport where the politics of belts, promoters and sanctioning bodies make it nearly impossible to unify titles — let alone do it three times — Shields has managed it before the age of 30. You don’t luck your way into that kind of record. It takes skill, drive, and a level of focus that most fighters never reach.
Like Floyd Mayweather — divisive, undefeated, undeniable
Now, I’ve got to be honest. I’m not exactly a Shields superfan. I find her hard to root for sometimes. The bravado, the constant self-promotion, the endless “GWOAT” declarations. It can get a bit much.
But you know what? I felt the same about Floyd Mayweather. And like him, she’s earned the right to say it.
She talks a big game — and so far, she’s backed up every single word. Nobody’s beaten her. Nobody’s come close to embarrassing her. And like Mayweather, she’s carved out her own lane in the sport. Undefeated, untouchable, and completely unbothered by the critics.
That doesn’t mean she’s perfect. Her style isn’t always the most exciting to watch. It’s more clinical than crowd-pleasing. But greatness isn’t measured in highlight reels — it’s measured in legacy. And in that department, she’s miles ahead of the pack.
Could she hang with legends of the past?
This is where the conversation starts getting interesting. Because being the best of your era is one thing. Being the best ever? That’s a different bar entirely.
So let’s stack her up against some of the all-time greats. Could Claressa Shields hold her own with the likes of Lucia Rijker, Ann Wolfe, Christy Martin, or even Laila Ali?
Technically? Absolutely. She’s more refined than most of them ever were. Her footwork, jab control, and ring IQ are elite. She doesn’t take risks she doesn’t need to, and she adjusts mid-fight better than almost anyone in the modern game.
But those older fighters came from a different era. They weren’t getting multi-million dollar promotional deals or headlining cards. They fought in a time when women’s boxing barely had a pulse. They had to claw their way to recognition — often underpaid, undertrained, and under the radar.
Would Claressa have been as dominant in that era? It’s hard to say. Would they be as successful now, with the same resources and training? Again — tough to call. But that’s what makes the GOAT debate fun. It’s never just about resumes. It’s about context.
What’s left for Shields to prove?
That’s the million-dollar question. She’s made history already. She’s collected belts like Pokémon. So what now?
The rivalry with Savannah Marshall will always loom in the background. Their first fight was compelling, and Marshall is one of the few opponents who’s ever pushed Shields physically and mentally. A rematch might be the only fight that generates real excitement — but with Marshall currently competing in MMA, the timing feels off.
Could Shields return to MMA herself? Maybe. But truthfully, she’s not going to enhance her boxing legacy by switching codes. She’s already struggled to find credible opposition, and crossing over again might do more harm than good.
Realistically, she’s reaching the point where her dominance is almost a curse. She’s so far ahead of the competition that every future fight risks being labelled a mismatch.
Is Claressa Shields the GWOAT? Probably.
Even if she winds you up. Even if you think she’s too arrogant, or too self-congratulatory. Even if you prefer other fighters’ styles or personalities — it’s getting harder and harder to deny what Shields has done for the sport.
She’s shattered records. Brought visibility to women’s boxing at a time when it desperately needed a face. And she’s inspired a new generation of fighters to believe they can be the main event — not just the undercard.
Is she the GWOAT? That depends on what matters most to you: resume, skill, influence, longevity, personality, or cultural impact. But she’s firmly in the conversation, and with every dominant win, she’s making it harder to argue against her.
So what do you reckon — is Claressa Shields the GWOAT?
Drop a comment, share this post with your boxing mates, and head over to CMBoxing for more proper fight chat — no hype, just truth.