Boxing legend Laila Ali has been making headlines this month for two very different reasons — her latest television project and renewed calls from Claressa Shields for a long-awaited showdown in the ring.
Ali, the daughter of the late Muhammad Ali, appeared on FOX 5 on August 12 to promote her upcoming reality series. While she kept the details under wraps, the retired champ hinted at a mix of personal storytelling and behind-the-scenes moments, telling host Marissa Mitchell she’s excited to connect with fans in a new way.
But outside of television, Ali’s name is making waves in the boxing world again. Shields, the undisputed women’s heavyweight champion, has been publicly pushing for a fight, saying there’s a fully funded $15 million offer on the table, complete with proposed venues and dates.
Ali hasn’t given a direct yes or no. Instead, in an August 7 video promoting her show, she addressed the chatter in a measured — and slightly cryptic — way: “I’ll respond when I’m good and ready. Nobody calls shots on me.”
Shields, speaking to TMZ, said she believes Ali turned down the bout out of fear, though she respects her decision. The tension deepened when Khalilah Ali, Muhammad Ali’s ex-wife, publicly backed Shields to win the hypothetical fight, stirring family drama into the mix.
As it stands, Ali is moving forward with her TV project, while Shields looks toward other opponents. Whether the two women will ever meet in the ring remains uncertain, but the combination of entertainment news and sports rivalry has kept both their names buzzing.
