In a significant move for her career, Claressa Shields, one of the most prominent figures in women’s boxing, has secured an impressive two-year promotional deal valued at a guaranteed $8 million. This announcement comes as Shields, 30, maintains her undefeated record in 17 professional fights and aims to retire at the age of 38, with aspirations to become one of the highest-paid athletes in the sport.
Shields plans to fight two to three times in 2026 before taking a year off to have a child. She expressed her ambition to earn $15 million or more next year through various revenue streams, including ticket sales, merchandise, and social media engagements, much like boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr.
During her announcement at a stylish Asian fusion restaurant in Manhattan, Shields shared her excitement about the new deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, which allows her the flexibility to explore crossover fights with other promoters. “I feel like I’m finally getting my just due,” she remarked, reflecting on her journey in the sport.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist tested free agency following her last title defense in July, where she defended her four heavyweight belts in front of a crowd of around 15,000 fans. Although she negotiated with notable promoters such as Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, Shields ultimately returned to Salita due to better financial incentives and a long-standing trust.
Shields highlighted the contrast between her current deal and her earlier experiences in boxing, where she felt undercompensated despite her accolades. “Usually when a man had an Olympic gold medal, he turned pro and they signed him to a million-dollar contract,” she stated, expressing her frustration at not receiving similar treatment after winning her second gold medal in 2016.
With her new agreement, which includes an upfront payment of $3 million, Shields aims to rectify feelings of being shortchanged earlier in her career. Her promoter, Dmitriy Salita, praised Shields for her confidence and determination to elevate the status of women’s boxing.
Shields has set ambitious goals, stating, “I’m trying to get to where I can make $50 million for one fight, just like Floyd did.” However, she acknowledged the limited pool of opponents who could match her caliber, prompting creative promotional strategies to build hype for her fights.
While she did not explicitly campaign for a high-profile bout against Laila Ali, the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Salita suggested such a fight could be monumental for women’s boxing. Shields, meanwhile, expressed interest in a matchup with Mikaela Mayer, a fighter with a solid record.
As Shields prepares for her next fight, anticipated to occur in early 2026, she has decided to focus solely on boxing, as her boyfriend, rapper Papoose, has advised against returning to mixed martial arts. “Such a masterful boxer, such a scientist in the ring, why go in there and play around with that?” he said regarding her decision.
Shields aims to take a break to start a family around age 32, with plans to return to boxing afterward. “I didn’t want to start having kids when I’m 40,” she noted, sharing her desire to balance her career ambitions with personal life goals.
As Claressa Shields continues to break barriers in women’s boxing, her recent deal and plans for the future signal a new era of growth and opportunity for female athletes in the sport. For more updates on boxing and sports news, stay tuned to hiphopraisedmetheblog.com!
