Every hero is a villain in someone’s tale, and in women’s boxing, Claressa Shields and Amanda Serrano can’t agree on who’s the bad guy. The duo has been in a subtle rivalry for a while now. While the GWOAT sees herself as the biggest female boxer, Serrano has scoffed at her as a loud critic, though not openly.
No question, Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shields have transformed women’s boxing. While Shields is the only three-division undisputed champion, The Real Deal recently became the highest-earning female boxer in history after her last fight. Despite reaching such heights, they have never stopped paving paths for other female talents. Yet, they see each other differently. As Serrano gears up to take on Katie Taylor in a much-hyped trilogy, Claressa Shields stirred things up again, hinting at hidden tension between the two.
Loyal fan, empty stands: Claressa Shields exposes boxing’s divide
In a recent conversation with FightHype TV on the sidelines of the Mayer-Ryan clash, when asked about her purported enmity with Serrano, Claressa Shields claimed that she’s long admired the 36-year-old even before her MVP and Jake Paul deal: “I was a fan of her(Serrano) before Jake Paul, I’m a fan of her now,” she revealed. According to her, she has proudly cheered for Serrano at nearly all her fights and most women’s boxing events. But her own matches? Barely anyone shows up.
“I feel like it’s a little secret animosity or whatever going on there. I want you guys to look at something because everybody thinks I just be picking. Look at all the girls fights who I come to and then look at my fights and then you look at who’s there and then you can tell me who’s the hater,” she lamented.
The 30-year-old stated that she has been in attendance at every Taylor-Serrano bout so far. She has watched this rivalry grow and will be there at MSG in July when the two fight again. “I’ve been at every Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight. I’ve been at other fights too with all the women,” she explained. However, when it comes to her matches, there are hardly any notable female boxers present.
This has caused the GWOAT to feel sidelined by her peers. Referring to how no one was there for her historic undisputed heavyweight bout in Michigan last month, she asked, “I’m fighting for women’s boxing too. For the equal pay, equal opportunity, equal TV time. You be at my fights, look around and you tell me which female fighters are there and then we can say who’s the hater,” emphasizing the lack of love she has received.
Still, Shields won’t quit supporting women’s boxing. She will be at MSG on July 11, celebrating a historic night for women’s boxing, and will pave the path for the future generation. Talking about paving the path, Amanda Serrano has also played her part in the growth of women’s boxing, and with the upcoming event, she will do it once again.
Amanda Serrano hopes for a marvelous future
As MVP signed Alycia Baumgardner, one of the most popular female fighters, fans started worrying about Serrano’s position in Jake Paul’s company. However, the unified featherweight champion dismissed all the speculation on ‘X’ and wrote, “Lol not true. We are a solid team & my place is established,” she wrote.
lol not true
We are a solid team & my place is established. It’s time for others to make what I’ve made. I can’t do this forever!
I’ll help build the company to have girls that can do even bigger things that I’ve done. My blessings are mine & everyone of these ladies will have… https://t.co/A2N3rS4Lu7
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) March 18, 2025
At 36, the Puerto Rican knows her time in the ring is winding down. Before hanging up the gloves, she’s focused on mentoring the next wave of fighters to surpass her legacy. She wrote, “It’s time for others to make what I’ve made. I can’t do this forever! I’ll help build the company to have girls that can do even bigger things that I’ve done. My blessings are mine & everyone of these ladies will have theirs. Rightfully so ” While that seems like a hefty dream, if anyone can make it possible, it is Amanda Serrano.
Well, Claressa Shields has made it clear that she will be in attendance for the Serrano-Taylor III. Will Serrano now show up for Shields’ next fight later this year? Time will tell. Do you believe that Shields has been sidelined by the other female boxers? Let us know your thoughts down below.
The post Claressa Shields Gets Real on “Secret Animosity” With Amanda Serrano: “I’m a Fan of Her Before Jake Paul” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
