What is your view of Clarrisa Shield's deportmet outside of the ring?

[Spicoli]

Since turning pro, she's been self promoting and grand standing trying to get her name out there. From jawing at Kovalev in the media to online commentary/messages on other peoples fights. Shes just trying to be one of the guys I think. Her opinion doesn't carry the weight she thinks it does. As much of a circus the Christy martin thing was, she was putting butts in seats by knocking out these poor saps that they paid to get beat up. Mia St John tried hard, took her lumps but she wasn't a fighter at heart. Lucia Ryker, was super skilled but didn't really self promote stateside and left that up to the other people which didn't pan out for her. Anne Wolf was a beast but maybe not the glory seeker Shields is, preferring to do her talking in the ring. Ali's daughter had size but she was never really that skilled, she used her size and star status on most opponents. Even now, noone listens when she registers an opinion on anything boxing. Shields could be headed down that road if shes not careful. Shes more classically trained (a 2 time gold medalist) and has greater potential if she can keep her weight down and not let her mouth get ahead of her skill set and not rest on her laurels. Shes still a little immature at this point and can be riled easy. After a few fights and big shows and seeing the dirty side of the business I think she'll settle in and learn its not worth wasting the energy on extracurriculars.

Your dismissal of previous greats or at least stars of women’s boxing is a bit much. Mia St. John was a fighter at heart in my opinion, Christy Martin was a tough brawler who beat more than just paid tomato cans, and Ali was a big, skilled boxer. She’s still the best female boxer I’ve seen.

Maybe i should have chose my words more carefully, I don't think Mia was horrible. She was a warrior that went out flailing on her shield a few times but she never turned her punches or worked on her form. Christy was a grinder before, but once she hit the spotlight they couldn't have her look subpar because she was on the tyson undercards. She walked down st John throwing big whiffing hooks while Mia just pawed back as hard has she could. When the time came she, ducked Rijker. As for Ali, we'll agree to disagree cuz she was more than fraziers kid.. but didnt fight many real fighters. Christy martin has to put on like 30 lbs for that payday and Ali ran like hell from Ann Wolfe. Looking at the Rijker and Wolfe and then at St. John and Ali. There's a stark contrast in who was serious and who wasn't. Would Ali have even entered the ring and left her nail salon if her daddy wasn't the greatest of all time?

Saw Rijker working a Bellator corner not to long ago. Has to be among the top in women's combat sports and styles. Always thought she was the real deal boogeywoman to a Ali or Martin when it was blowing up. St. John was entertaining but lesser of the bunch imo. None of them were hanging with Rijker though. Martin was a genuine product in what you see is what you got and always went hard. She also had insane exposure riding massive King undercards with names like Tito and Tyson. I don't like to slag on female boxing as it's still a get punched in the face undertaking and risk. No doubt they play up the appeal though. Good boxing is good boxing and when it's bad it's bad regardless of the cup you wear.


With all the names Holly Holm still continues to go and like Rijker swapped sports and excelled. As far as boxers it's crazy how ufc face Rhonda Rousey was put on the cover of Ring mag and Holly promptly turned her on her head with the sport she brought to mma.