Claressa Shields is a survivor. She had a traumatic childhood, where her father was in prison when she was a toddler. Add to that, she was left with a mother who struggled with addiction. Furthermore, her mother brought home male visitors who committed unspeakable acts with the young Claressa Shields. The 29-year-old Olympic gold medalist lived through her childhood in a constant state of fear until her grandmother rescued her.

The female boxing ‘GOAT’ not only survived hell but emerged as a winner through all her adversities as a child. The undisputed multiple-weight champion has constantly stated how she does not want any other child to go through what she went through, and she’s helped countless children through charitable organizations. However, her personal trauma has served as a reminder for her not to have children.

Claressa Shields Draws the Line

On Friday, ‘T-Rex’ took to her ‘X’ and posted an emotionally charged message stating that she does not want to have kids. “Don’t come over my house asking me when I’m having kids. This ain’t the house for that!”, her post on X (formerly Twitter) read. It seems like the constant questions regarding motherhood have frustrated the 29-year-old.

A fan agreed with the Flint native and stated that asking such questions is rude. Claressa Shields was grateful for the support and explained her reasoning behind the decision not to have kids. She wrote, “My thing is! I ain’t got no husband! So why would I just have kids?”, stating that she needs to settle down first before even thinking of having children. Considering how her personal life is going through a rocky change, these comments are understandable. Claressa Shields got engaged to her boyfriend, Tony Rich, in December 2023 and announced it on her Instagram story. For the unversed, Richardson is an International Sports Science Association (ISSA) certified fitness trainer who used to train Shields.

However, a few months ago, while appearing on the “Way Up With Angela Yee” podcast, Shields revealed that the pair are “not together right now”, suggesting that her and Rick were a break. The Flint, Michigan native stated that her demanding career limits her from having a personal relationship without any hiccups. Despite the heartbreak, the undisputed champion maintains a cheerful persona, but with these tweets, it is evident through her frustration that she is hurting. However, this is not the first time a setback discouraged Shields from having children of her own.

Heartbreaking separation

In 2014, Shields was at the top of the world. She had just won an Olympic gold medal in the 2012 games and was looking at her second at subsequent games at Rio in 2016. Amid her grueling training schedule, ‘T-Rex’ wanted a baby girl to give her everything that she did not have. A perfect opportunity presented itself when her cousin knocked on her door asking for money for an abortion, as she could not afford a third child. The 29-year-old refused to give her money and stated that she would adopt the child and become a mother herself. The cousins agreed, and the boxer was on cloud nine. During the birthing process, Claressa Shields was present in the delivery room and even cut the cord. The family named the girl Klaressa and for some time; it felt like Shields had achieved everything.

Shields would even the skip the gym to train at home for the Rio Olympics, to spend some more time with Klaressa. ‘T-Rex’ told Yahoo Sports, “I’m going to give her the best of everything, and I’m going to protect her like no mother ever protected her baby. I just love having her, even though it’s a huge responsibility. It makes me slow down and think, and that’s a good thing,” while talking about Klaressa.

However, tragedy struck once again when Klaressa’s birth mother changed her mind, eight months after the birth. She knocked at Claressa Shields’ home with police and accused her of kidnapping baby Klaressa. Despite the accusations being proven false and reckless, the 29-year-old lost custody of Klaressa. Even after such incidents, Claressa Shields wants to inspire young girls and give them hope. However, all these incidents have left deep-rooted scars on ‘T-Rex’, the effects of which she still feels to this day. However, being a fighter and a survivor, Shields has built a legacy of greatness which is sure to inspire many young women to follow in her footsteps.

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