Let’s look at the facts why that is.
The proof is there all around.
Shields recently was at an NBA game where she received a standing ovation. NBA still being one of the most popular sports in all of America behind the NFL.
Laila Ali was big news maybe ten years ago but simply is not anymore. The whole Shields vs Ali fight has been called for — for some time now.
Apparently by both fighters. Although Shields upon checking the facts is the only one who came up with a concrete offer to Ali to actually fight.
The bout remains a big one if it happens but you get the sense there is nothing genuine at all about Laila Ali wanting to take the fight.
Shields is the current women’s heavyweight champion now, with all the fame, all the growing followers and all the growing profile and brand.
Laila Ali never achieved even half of what Claressa Shields did in boxing and at the end of the day is just Muhammad Ali’s daughter.
That’s where the fame came from.
Shields remains the only women in pro boxing history to win world titles at middleweight and heavyweight and even lower than middleweight if you count the earlier stuff.
They need to try to get Shields a bigger fight with someone like Katie Taylor or even Serrano or something at a catchweight.
Here’s the reality of why Shields continues to soar instead of Laila Ali at the moment:
- Shields is active and undefeated at 17-0, defending her undisputed heavyweight title soon (Feb 22, 2026 vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn).
- She’s the only boxer (male or female) to become undisputed champ in three weight classes in the four-belt era.
- Shields has two Olympic golds (2012, 2016), the first American boxer to win consecutive ones.
- She signed an $8 million multi-fight deal in 2025 — biggest in women’s boxing history.
- Peers like Terence Crawford call her the best women’s boxer ever, with no close rival to Laila.
- Shields sells out arenas (15,000+ fans in Detroit) and draws big current crowds.
- Laila retired in 2007 (19 years ago) with no fights since.
- Ali (now ~48) has shut down comeback talk, saying her legacy is set and won’t return without massive paydays that haven’t materialized.
- Their ongoing feud (callouts, $15M offers) keeps Shields trending, while Ali’s responses emphasize inactivity.
- Active stars dominate modern media — Shields holds recent titles and headlines; Ali’s fame ties mostly to her father’s legacy.
Alas, here’s 10 facts as well why Claressa Shields is just better than Laila Ali.
