Social Media Users Are Slamming This Olympian For Seemingly 'Disrespecting' Boxing Legend Laila Ali

Social media users are not here for Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields throwing shade toward Laila Ali.

The online criticism comes weeks after Ali told reporters she would consider coming out of retirement to fight Shields in a boxing match for a hefty eight figure sum.

After claiming to have secured the funds for the showdown, Shields recently revealed Laila Ali's team allegedly told her she was no longer interested in setting up a match.

In July 2025, Ali caused a lot of excitement after implying that she'd be interested in stepping into the boxing ring against Shields for the right price.

Although she retired in 2007, Ali said that she'd "think" about fighting against the middleweight champion for $15-20 million.

"Unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we're not going to have a conversation. I'm not trying to come back and fight, but if someone offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it," Ali said.

Days later, Shields shared a video update and directed it toward Ali, informing the world champion that she and her team had secured the funds required for their match.

"We got the $15 million!" Shields said.

She continued, "Let's make a fight between me and you. The best versus the best. The greats versus the greats. The GWOAT versus Muhammad Ali's daughter, Laila Ali. Let's make it happen."

Elsewhere, in her video, Shields told Ali that she had everything taken care of, from the money to the venue to the dates. "Now all we need is Laila Ali," she said before asking the boxing great whether she was down for the match.

However, after a few weeks of silence, Shields updated the public on the status of their contest, revealing that it likely wouldn't be happening. According to her, Ali's team declined the invitation.

"That's fine. I have no problem with that. I'm not upset. I mean, I wouldn't fight me either," she said. "You know what I'm saying? I understand that she's scared. I'm moving on."

As she continued, Shields questioned why Ali said she'd consider a fight for at least $15 million before accusing the "Chef Grudge Match" host of "backpedaling."

However, social media users weren't too amused with Shields' comments about the undefeated boxing legend. In fact, on Instagram, several users accused the 30-year-old of trying to intimidate someone who "paved the way for you."

One user said that one of the reasons Ali likely wasn't interested in fighting Shields is because she's "beautiful and rich," while another called Ali "out the way and happy with her life."

Another user chimed in and posted, "Girl, Laila is acting her age and wage. She's a brand and has nothing to gain fighting you. Please, go somewhere."

More users expressed how disappointed they were to see Shields trying to "clown an almost 50-year-old for not wanting to fight."

Finally, someone simply wrote, "I don't think the disrespect is necessary."

And this isn't the first time Shields has faced criticism for releasing questionable statements about other successful athletes. Earlier this year, Shields released a series of posts on X defending herself after receiving backlash for questioning how Chicago Sky star Angel Reese won BET's "Sportswoman of the Year" award over her.

Shields promised that she wasn't "joining in on any hate train" regarding Reese and later attempted to offer clarification. "I'm saying I thought the person with 'THE MOST' accolades [and] accomplishments would win the Award. I'm team Angel Reese!" she added.

She went on to say that she had much "respect" for other "female athletes;" however, stood by her surprised reaction. "It's OK to be a competitor," she wrote.

Ali began her professional boxing career in October 1999, fighting April Fowler at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York.

She won by knockout and continued her winning streak until her retirement following her 24th fight against Gwendolyn O'Neil in Kempton Park, South Africa.

Shields, meanwhile, has a plethora of accolades to her name, including several championship titles and two Olympic gold medals from her time in London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.