However, the controversial intergender bout never came to fruition and Shields is now just days away from fighting in MMA for the first time since suffering a split decision loss in October 2021.

‘The GWOAT’ will face 1-2 MMA fighter Kelsey DeSantis at PFL vs Bellator: CHAMPS in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night – but she’s still got Thurman on her mind.

In a recent interview with Gillie & Wallo, Shields claimed to be ‘bigger, longer, and more skilled’ than the former unified welterweight world champion while breaking down their potential fight.

READ MORE ;Benzino Breaks Down in Tears Over Eminem Beef, Claressa Shields Gives Harsh Response

The 28-year-old faced backlash on social media for her comments about Thurman, but stands by them wholeheartedly despite being branded ‘delusional’ by one of her rivals, Alycia Baumgardner

“What is the issue? I would understand it being an issue if I said I’d knock Keith Thurman out. I would understand people being in an uproar about that,” Shields told talkSPORT.com

“A two-time Olympic gold medallist, 13-time world champion, a three-time undisputed champion, saying I have better skills is a problem?

“Everyone making a big [thing] about that needs to shut up crying.

“If Keith can downplay the greatest woman of all time and say he’ll put on bigger gloves and [fight with] one hand, you’re dang right I can say I’m a better boxer than him because it’s the truth.

“I ain’t never been dropped with a body shot. I ain’t lost in my career, I’ve got more belts than him, more gold medals than him, and I move better than him.

RELATED ;Claressa Shields again calls for intergender boxing match with not great Keith Thurman

“If he can talk that trash about me, I’m going to talk that trash on him.”

The American confidently predicted a KO win for the son of boxing legend Kostya Tszyu before revealing the crux of her beef with Thurman, who she feels is underestimating her simply because she is a woman.

Shields added: “Keith Thurman, he’s not that great of a fighter. He’s good, not great.

“Me, I’m great regardless of whether I am a woman or not. They want me to bow down like, ‘Keith Thurman is a man, he was a world champion so that makes you less than him’.

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“So, for him to even say it is disrespectful to me and women’s boxing, but nobody is making a big deal out of that because he disrespected me.

“When he disrespects me it’s okay, but when I disrespect him it’s a problem. Whatever!”

Claressa Shields still wants a boxing match with Keith Thurman.

The ‘GWOAT’ is currently focusing on a return to the PFL cage. The 28-year-old last appeared in the boxing ring last June, defeating Marciela Cornejo by unanimous decision. With the victory, Shields moved to 14-0 in her professional career.

Throughout her historic run, Shields has barely been tested. Despite going up against the likes of Savannah Marshall and Christina Hammer, few have been able to stifle the champion. With that in mind, Shields has repeatedly called for a boxing match against a man.

READ MORE ;Savannah Marshall could fight Claressa Shields again but this time in mixed martial arts

Not just any man, however. Instead, Shields has repeatedly called out former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman. As of now, ‘One Time’ is scheduled to fight Tim Tsyzu on Amazon Prime pay-per-view on March 30.

Thurman verbally agreed to face Shields in an exhibition boxing match last year for charity. However, no fight ever came to fruition between the two. That being said, Shields is still down to face the former champion.

Speaking in a recent interview with Million Dollaz of Game, Shields stated (via Michael Benson):

Has Claressa Shields ever boxed a man? Controversial sparring session explained

Last year, footage emerged of Claressa Shields sparring with Arturs Ahmetovs.

After the longtime female boxing champion began calling out the likes of Keith Thurman and Jake Paul, sparring footage was released. The session reportedly took place in 2018, with Shields getting badly dropped in a brief clip posted to social media.

RELATED ;Claressa Shields Teases Keith Thurman Fight Again, Picks Tim Tszyu to ‘Knock’ Him Out

The footage was seemingly released by Ahmetovs himself, in opposition to Shields’ statements. Not long after the video was released, the ‘GWOAT’ confirmed that the footage was real but added more info.

According to Shields, the 6-1 male boxer took out the padding in his gloves before the session. While that was never confirmed, there’s no doubt that she was floored by the hard shot.

It’s also worth noting that Shields also released footage of herself sparring with other men ahead of a potential fight with Keith Thurman. Say what you will about her brash trash talk, but one can’t deny that she’ll fight anyone.

Keith Thurman will take on Tim Tszyu on March 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, he has more than one adversary lined up, wanting to fight him. In a recent pinch, the undefeated goat of female boxing, Claressa Shields, once again fired shots at the former unified welterweight champion during an interview.

The update comes after the duo clashed heads previously in August of last year. Shields had claimed that she could fight and defeat Thurman – no problem. And ‘Onetime’ Thurman had responded by accepting the challenge, provided his conditions were met for the bout! However, nothing ever came out of it! Nevertheless, as Thurman’s return to the ring after two years inches closer, Shields has a few more verbal jabs for Thurman as she predicts a knockout win for Tszyu.

Shields claims she is better than Keith Thurman in every way

While appearing in an interview with Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, the Flint area native doubled down on her view of Keith Thurman. She refused to believe that Thurman, who was once a world champion, was that great of a boxer. She stated, “Thurman is not that great of a boxer. Is he strong? Yes. But what else?”

Meanwhile, in light of Thurman’s upcoming showdown in March, Shields had a prediction ready, and, of course, Thurman would not like it! “Tim Tszyu’s gonna knock Thurman’s ass out,” said Shields. She then goes on to lord over her superior skills over the former champion and a male boxer, who has only tasted defeat once, and that too at the hands of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m a woman, but I’m bigger than Thurman, I’m longer, I’ve got better skills. How’s he gonna take the punches I give him? Thurman can’t take a body shot. You’re talking to a boxing encyclopedia,” said Shields. However, it’s worth highlighting that Thurman had agreed to fight her under some conditions! Here are those conditions.

Thurman doesn’t believe Claressa Shields is a threat

After Shields had made her initial call out to Thurman over X last year, ‘Onetime’ spoke to Sporting News, responding to the callout! “I did not see it [the tweet], but I’ve already got text messages all about it,” said Thurman. He continued, “Look, I can fight for any charity event. We can raise money and let you try to showcase your skills and talent.”

Later, he proceeded to list his conditions to fight a female in the ring if it were possible to begin with. “I’d probably use my jab only…for the people and for charity, I would make something like that happen…I would wear bigger gloves. I would let her wear smaller gloves. I would let her wear headgear, too,” said Thurman.

With Thurman preparing to enter the ring after two years, do you think that the comments from Claressa Shields hold weight; or is it just another publicity stunt? Realistically – if the two parties ever fought, who do you think would win?