In this week’s episode of The Art of Ward, Andre sits down with the GWOAT, Claressa Shields, for an exclusive, in-depth conversation. From her humble beginnings in Flint, Michigan, to becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a 4-division world champion, Claressa takes us through her extraordinary journey to the top, including the pivotal role her father played.
Claressa also gets candid about her relationship with boxing legend Laila Ali, and what really happened between the two icons. Hear why she still has love for Laila and why she’s still eager to share the ring with her one day. She also lets loose on her beefs with Alycia Baumgardner and Savannah Marshall.
Her fighting prowess goes beyond just the squared circle. She opens up about her experience in MMA, how she handles online trolls, and the reality of dealing with fame, money, and public scrutiny. She also shares why she plans to retire from sports at 38, giving us a glimpse into her future beyond the ring.
Plus, get the inside track on her upcoming biopic, The Fire Inside, set to drop on Christmas Day. Claressa gives us a sneak peek into her business ventures and her vision for leaving a lasting legacy both inside and outside the ring.
This is the GWOAT like you’ve never seen her before—raw, real, and ready to tell her story. Don’t miss it!
#ClaressaShields #GWOAT #Boxing #TheArtofWard #MMA #TheFireInside #Rivalries #OlympicGold #WomenInSports #Biopic #Unfiltered
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(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:01:20) – Claressa’s Upcoming Biopic
(00:09:02) – Upbringing
(00:14:10) – Getting Into boxing, Father’s Impact
(00:18:38) – Flint, Michigan Boxing Scene
(00:20:47) – First coach, Jason Crutchfield
(00:33:25) – World Championships vs. Savannah Marshall
(00:37:45) – Winning Gold At 2012 Olympics
(00:43:12) – Splitting From Trainer, Winning Gold Again in 2016
(00:54:51) – Claressa’s Pro Debut on Dre’s undercard
(00:56:54) – Winning First Title, Becoming 3x World Champ
(01:03:40) – Impact of Money & Fame
(01:11:47) – Going to MMA, Training w/ Jon Jones & Holly Holm
(01:18:21) -What happened between Claressa & Laila Ali
(01:29:30) – Issues With Alycia Baumgardner
(01:33:05) – Dealing with Online Hate
(01:38:49) – Winning the heavyweight championship back in July
(01:42:28) – What type of businesswoman is Claressa Shields?
(01:48:07) – What’s Next
(01:51:58) – Wanting To Retire at 38
(01:56:06) – END
Listen on Apple podcasts:
ART OF WARD – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-ward/id1767454006
All The Smoke – podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-smoke/id1483638752
KG Certified – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kg-certified/id1681173392
BULLY BALL – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bully-ball-with-rachel-nichols-demarcus-cousins/id1715205016
Forgotten Seasons – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forgotten-seasons/id1572299955
Morning Kombat – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-kombat-with-luke-thomas-and-brian-campbell/id1471183444
Listen on Spotify podcasts:
ART OF WARD – https://open.spotify.com/show/2zgtdAGaqvrEJza1c0RdvL?si=a94a7b4be17542e0
All The Smoke – https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cdge5G5apw1LsC8jGcl4j
KG Certified – https://open.spotify.com/show/6prbJx4Jxhk00P9d6B9szd
BULLY BALL – https://open.spotify.com/show/40E66eARk2t5TaxbppnQHK
Forgotten Seasons – https://open.spotify.com/show/5hgAmM5QZhuvl695KCD7xo
Morning Kombat – https://open.spotify.com/show/6UidjqtJTs7yX2p3lFNwBX
Instagram:
ATS Fight – https://www.instagram.com/atsfight/
ATS Boxing – https://www.instagram.com/atsboxing/
All The Smoke – instagram.com/allthesmoke
All The Smoke Productions – instagram.com/allthesmoke.productions
KG Certified – https://www.instagram.com/kgcertified/
Truth Lounge – https://www.instagram.com/truthloungeshow/?hl=en
Forgotten Seasons – https://www.instagram.com/forgottenseasonsnba/
Morning Kombat – https://www.instagram.com/morningkombat/
Tik Tok:
ATS Boxing – https://www.tiktok.com/@atsboxing
All The Smoke Productions – https://www.tiktok.com/@allthesmokeproductions
Morning Kombat – https://www.tiktok.com/@morningkombat
KG Certified – https://www.tiktok.com/@kg
Forgotten Seasons – https://www.tiktok.com/@forgottenseasonsnba
X:
ATS Fight – https://x.com/ats_fight
ATS Boxing – https://x.com/atsboxing
All The Smoke Production – https://x.com/allthesmokeprod
Morning Kombat – https://x.com/morningkombat
KG Certified – https://x.com/KevinGarnett5KG
Forgotten Seasons – https://x.com/FSNBA_
