Claressa Shields vs. Jake Paul?

The idea of Claressa Shields stepping in the ring with Jake Paul might have crossed your social feeds lately, but don’t get your hopes up. As 2025 gets rolling, any chatter about this “battle of the sexes” is likely just a headline-grabber rather than something remotely feasible. The possibility first surfaced a few years ago when Shields challenged Paul for a sparring match, then an actual fight, but none of it gained real traction - except to feed the hype machine.

Shields isn’t wrong about her superior boxing skills - she’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist and arguably the best female fighter on the planet. But the moment we start talking about a 170-pound woman facing a 200-pound man, all analysis pretty much ends. Yes, we watched bizarre spectacles last year - like Mike Tyson, at 58, stepping back into the ring against Jake Paul - and we’re sure to see more stunts in 2025. Still, Shields vs. Paul would bring up moral and ethical questions that run deeper than mere pay-per-view numbers.

Watch Shields vs. Joanisse highlights: Watch

So why even bring it up? Because in boxing’s current universe, if it sells, it’s on the table. In 2024, we watched YouTubers, ex-UFC champs, and retired legends collide in fights nobody asked for yet plenty tuned in to see. The result? A sport now at risk of jumping the shark further than ever. As for Shields and Paul? Keep an eye on your social media feed - just don’t expect them to ever share the ring in a real sanctioned contest, no matter what headline you stumble upon next.