Claressa Shields vs. Laila Ali.
The fight isn’t even official. In fact, it may never materialize.
But that didn’t keep five experts from responding when asked who would win the fight between the 30-year-old Shields and the 47-year-old Ali.
Both would climb into the ring with unblemished records. Shields is 17-0 with three knockouts and Ali was 24-0 with 21 knockouts when she retired in 2007.
‘Honestly, a fight with me and Laila Ali would be one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing,’’ Shields told USA TODAY Sports last month. “I think we should do it for the culture. We should do it for the boxing culture. We should do it for so many to prove who is the best.”
Laila Ali vs Claressa Shields predictions
Christy Martin: Picks Laila Ali
Was knocked out by Ali in the fourth round of their fight in 2003. Elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020. A biopic on Martin, starring Sydney Sweeney, is scheduled to be screened in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Laila’s going to be too big, too strong, too smart,’’ Martin said. “She’s going to use her jab to set her right hand up and push Claressa back. And Shields can’t fight going backwards.
“I think that since Laila’s been probably relaxing and resting (during retirement), her body’s recovered from any damage that she had during her career. I think she’ll come back strong. She’s still under 50 and Laila’s not going to come back unless she’s 100% confident and ready to come back. And if she’s 100% ready and confident, she wins.’’
Kathy Duva: Picks Claressa Shields
A boxing promoter who is the CEO of Main Events. Elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.
“Laila did a lot for women’s boxing,’’ Duva said. “She’s an icon. But in her prime, in my opinion, she simply wasn’t as good as Shields is now. So now she’s 47 and hasn’t fought in 18 years.
“Her advantage is taller than Shields, and that’s about it. Tall isn’t much of an advantage if your opponent knows how to neutralize it. And Shields does. Add in Laila’s age and inactivity. The fight is great marketing. And I hope both women make lots of money. But it is based purely on wishful thinking and is not remotely competitive.’’
Mary Jo Sanders: Favors Shields
A retired boxer who won world titles in four divisions between 2005 and 2007. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June.
“Their styles are very different,’’ Sanders said. “I mean, Claressa’s a brawler and Laila is more of a boxer. I do want (Shields) to finesse more because I feel like Laila has those straighter punches that could get into Clarissa’s wider haymakers and coming in with aggression.
“But one punch, I’ve seen these girls take one punch from Claressa. They’re like, ‘Oh, she is a beast. She is strong. She’s a fricking Clydesdale.’
“But if Laila can finesse her and get her flustered and off her game, then she’s got those straight punches. So if Claressa can prepare for that and her team knows that, then it’ll be wonderful.’’
Gloria Thornton-Peak: Picks Shields
In 2012, became the first woman coach on the U.S. Olympic boxing team and worked with Shields. She also trained retired champion boxers Andre Ward and Jermain Taylor.
She noted the age difference between Shields and Ali.
“Carissa has power, she has speed,’’ Thornton-Peak said. “She comes at you hard and fast, and if you are not used to having those kind of punches come at you, you are going to easily be overwhelmed by it.
“I think in order to beat her, you got to be able to match that output that she has of throwing punches, and you also need to have some of the power she has.
“I think (Shields’) chances are very good because so far I have not seen anybody who could really match that output she has and throwing those fast flurry punches, that pressure. I haven’t seen anybody really be able to handle that.’’
Johnny “Yahya” McClain III: Picks Ali
Laila Ali’s ex-husband. Was involved in training and promoting Ali between 1999 and 2005. A retired boxer who was 25-9-2 before he retired in 2010.
“The facts are the facts,’’ he said. “Laila Ali is a completely seasoned animal when it comes to fighting. Laila does not play. She hits really hard for real. Claressa has three knockouts. Laila, out of her 24 fights only allowed three people not to get knocked out. Laila hits for real, and Clarissa doesn’t.
“Laila Ali is way, way more skilled than Claressa. She comes from the science of boxing. And what did her dad use? The jab. Claressa don’t have no jab, and Clarissa got to try to come inside. Laila going to hit her with the jab all day long. Laila has fast hands, and Claressa don’t have no power. The only thing that Claressa has is her youth going forward with Laiyla.
“But if Laila’s going to fight her, Laila’s going to be ready for her.’’