Claressa Shields Deserves More Respect: “It’s ridiculous” – Andre Berto
Andre Berto says that Claressa Shields is not getting the credit she deserves for her highly impressive career in boxing. “GWOAT” Claressa Shields represented the USA in the Olympics and has since collected numerous titles across multiple weight classes.
Claressa Shields
The US-born Claressa Shields earned two Olympic Gold Medals as an amateur fighter. Since turning pro, Shields has remained unbeaten in her spotless 15-0 fight career. Along the way, she has earned WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles across multiple weight classes. Additionally, she competes in MMA with the PFL. Most recently, “GWOAT” Claressa Shields captured the heavyweight title by way of knockout.
Former Olympian, world champion, and Hall of Fame boxer Andre Berto said that Shields is not getting the respect that she deserves. Speaking in an interview on All The Smoke, he said:
“Somebody like that has been that dominant for so long, two gold medals, multiple world titles, undefeated, just accolades after accolades. I believe that she continues to feel like she has to do more and more and more to continue to try to gain any type of real respect. If it’s boxing, if it’s MMA, if it’s doing rap videos, if it’s YouTube. But she’s trying to deliver you know, to a different type of hype because she feels like she needs to,. But she’s still not getting that type of love, notoriety, or sponsors.
“You got a woman that’s so dominant and has been collecting everything. What else does she need to do to get those real dollars? Those real fight dollars, those real endorsement dollars. Cause, like I said, I see her working overtime. Everybody’s been seeing her working overtime.”
Not only does Claressa Shields not get the respect she deserves, as someone with so many impressive accolades, but she is also actively disrespected, Berto explained. An Olympic medalist and multi-division world champion in boxing, people should be celebrating her as they are witnessing history.
Last year when I spoke to Shields, she broke down exactly where she keeps all of her impressive titles. Because it’s not easy to store so many gold belts and medals.
Berto Continued:
“I know these platforms give people a voice that otherwise wouldn’t have one. And a lot of times people say whatever they want to say, but what is all that? The hate and vitriol that’s coming at Claressa Shields. Where is this coming from? My heart for her, man, is just to rest in her greatness. Resting on what she’s accomplished and finishing her career out strong. Get as many bags as she can. Maintain her integrity in the process and, try to leave this thing undefeated.
“I’m not standing for the blatant disrespect of this young lady from these grown men. It’s ridiculous.“
