

Claressa Shields made history earlier this month by defeating Danielle Perkins. ‘T-Rex’ not only became the first woman to claim the undisputed heavyweight championship but also the only female boxer to achieve undisputed status in three different weight classes. However, her triumph was soon overshadowed as her name was dragged through the mud.
Just the other day, boxing insider Rick Glaser suggested that Shields has failed a PED test following her victory over Perkins. “Claressa Shields has reputedly failed a drug test for her most recent fight, rumored to be a PED test,” Glaser wrote. However, contradicting this report, BALCO founder Victor Conte suggested Shields had actually tested positive for marijuana only through a swab test which can very well be a result of second-hand smoke.
This prompted Shields to hit back at Glaser with threats of a lawsuit on social media. “Yeah @RealRickGlaser1 you getting sued buddy,” Shields wrote. Regardless, Conte seems to be back with an update on the matter. “What many may fail to realize is that @Claressashields was hugging and kissing family members and lots of others congratulating her after the fight for about 30 minutes and JUST BEFORE the swab saliva test sample was collected,” he wrote.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“It now seems this activity may have been a source of exposure that caused her positive test for marijuana. The trace amount found in the saliva swab test was 3.4 ng/ml,” he continued. “Claressa has always been a clean athlete. A mouth saliva test for marijuana is not common in boxing or any other sport. The swab saliva test is primarily used for pre-employment screening and law enforcement. Urine is the sample used for marijuana testing in Olympic sport and for reasons likely involving fewer possible sources of contamination.”
UPDATE FOR BOXING: What many may fail to realize is that @Claressashields was hugging and kissing family members and lots of others congratulating her after the fight for about 30 minutes and JUST BEFORE the swab saliva test sample was collected. Somebody in the locker room said…
— Victor Conte (@VictorConte) February 15, 2025
“There are many anti-doping entities including the Nevada commission and the UFC that do not even test for marijuana because it is not considered to be a PED. My questions are as follows. Why would a doping control officer possibly watch an athlete hugging and kissing people for thirty minutes and then ask them to collect a mouth swab sample? Is it feasable that direct observation of so many possible sources of contamination is part of a standard specimen collection protocol?”
Despite the marijuana fiasco, Shields is already looking ahead to her next fight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s your perspective on:
Is Claressa Shields' legacy being unfairly tarnished by a questionable marijuana test result?
Have an interesting take?
Claressa Shields is eyeing the Savannah Marshall rematch
Shields, who previously defeated Savannah Marshall in an undisputed middleweight title fight, is ready to face her rival once again in a new division. “We’ve had general discussions over the past several months and have expressed our interest in making the rematch happen,” said Shields’ promoter, Dmitry Salita.

via Imago
Tall Ships Race In Hartlepool, UK Super Middleweight Boxing Champion Savannah Marshall during the Tall Ships Race at Hartlepool, County Durham, England on Saturday 8th July 2023. Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xMIxNewsx originalFilename:fletcher-tallship230708_np22U.jpg
He believes Shields’ power at heavyweight would be the difference this time. “I believe she will stop Savannah with the power she possesses at heavyweight.” Salita insists the fight should take place outside of the UK. “The fight would need to take place in the US or a neutral location,” he stated. For Shields, legacy is key. “Claressa’s drive for legacy is undeniable,” Salita added, comparing her influence to Muhammad Ali’s in the sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
That said, it appears even though Claressa Shields has tested positive for marijuana, Victor Conte doesn’t think it’s a big deal. He also seems to have come up with a wild theory on how Shields tested positive for marijuana. What do you think of Conte’s take?
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Is Claressa Shields' legacy being unfairly tarnished by a questionable marijuana test result?