This weekend boxing's top-ranked female fighter, Claressa Shields (13-0), will defend her undisputed middleweight title against the former WBC super middleweight champion, Maricela Cornejo (14-5). The headlining bout will occur at Little Ceaser's Arena in Claressa's hometown of Detroit, Michigan. In addition to her hard-hitting prowess in the ring, Claressa has made a name for herself with her tenacity and big words outside the squared circle. The 28-year-old openly refers to herself as the G.W.O.A.T., and she has famously trolled the great Laila Ali for years, claiming that Muhammad Ali's daughter is irrelevant despite her legacy as a trailblazer for women's boxing.
With her title defense against Maricela Cornejo on the horizon, Claressa Shields has been mocking her opponent's heritage all week. In response, several fight fans have offered pushback by informing Claressa that she has crossed the line and asking her how she'd feel if the situation were reversed. On May 25th, the champ tweeted the following.
"Damn I’m fighting a Mexican, I always wanted to be like [Floyd Mayweather] and wear they colors but hell my outfit already made," Claressa tweeted.
When fans outlined the disrespect behind the message, Claressa fired back by doubling down.
"Y'all mfs better shut up before I wear y'all colors and beat ya girl down in them!" Claressa wrote. "I still got a week to get my outfit made!"
On Wednesday, the two ladies stood side-by-side during a photo op for their press conference before Claressa turned to the #1 contender and continued the mockery.
"You came all this way and think you finna win my belts?" Asked the champ.
This ignited a banter for a brief moment. Then, Claressa leaned in and said, "Mexican fighters can't beat me in boxing; none of y'all can. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, African Americans, whatever, they can't beat me...Mexicans? Please, none of y'all can f*ck with me..."
Shortly after the video footage was posted by Supreme Boxing, rapper Baby Bash weighed in on Claressa's antics.
"She hates on Mexicans ever since that Mexican Woman beat her a*s in the ALL AROUND Fighting game called MMA lol."
Scroll up and press play to watch Claressa Shields and Maricela Cornejo exchange words before their big fight this Saturday.
Source: Instagram
