Who is the best – Laila Ali or Claressa Shields? The debate has been raging for quite some time. Laila Ali, having drawn inspiration from Christy Martin, whom she later defeated, remains one of the true pioneers of women’s boxing. It’s been eighteen years since Ali retired from the sport. Yet Muhammad Ali’s daughter continues to inspire millions, especially young women who dream of making a career in boxing.

Meanwhile, Claressa Shields has spent years steadily building a resume that rivals even some of the top male champions. After an extraordinary amateur career that saw her clinching two Olympic golds back to back, Shields transitioned seamlessly into the professional ranks, collecting titles across multiple weight classes that saw her become boxing’s one and only three-division undisputed champion. True to her fearless spirit, she also stepped beyond boxing, proving her prowess in MMA and showcasing her ground game. So between Laila Ali and Claressa Shields, the debate over who deserves the title of the greatest woman boxer of all time remains as intense as ever. In a conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Terence Crawford was asked to weigh in. As the topic naturally emerged, Crawford was pressed to make a choice. And his answer may surprise many fans.

Terence Crawford on Claressa Shields: The crown of greatness belongs to just one

With around half an hour left in the show, which has gained considerable traction among podcast audiences, Sharpe remarked, “Claressa Shields, I don’t think there’s really any question that she’s the best women’s boxer today.” To Sharpe’s surprise, Crawford responded emphatically, “Of all time.”

Taken aback, Sharpe quickly sought clarification. Whether Crawford truly ranked Shields above Laila Ali? Crawford explained that he admires and loves Ali deeply. But he firmly believes Shields is the true ‘greatest of all time.’ When asked about another woman’s boxing icon, Christy Martin, the ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,’ Crawford didn’t waver. “There’s no comparison at all. All the time. I love Laila too, yeah, but nobody’s coming close to Clarissa,” he declared confidently.

Terence Crawford then laid out Shields’s accolades. Her Olympic gold medals and world titles across five weight classes. However, he acknowledged that the depth of competition in women’s boxing, particularly at higher weight divisions, isn’t quite as rich as it is in the men’s scene. Yet Shields’s dominance and achievements, he insisted, simply cannot be denied. In his eyes, no one else comes close.

The legacy and the battle lines

For many fans, hearing such high praise from one of the pound-for-pound kings of modern boxing felt like an official stamp of approval for Shields’s status. Considering Crawford’s validation, those who had been hesitant to crown her the greatest may now find it harder to argue.

The Ali vs. Shields discussion has lingered for years. At one point, Shields called out Ali for a potential fight. However, it’s clear that a comeback from Laila Ali is highly unlikely. She is thriving as an entrepreneur and has firmly stepped away from competitive sports. Yet for Shields, a fighter known for defending her legacy passionately, the idea of beating the daughter of ‘The Greatest’ still symbolizes the ultimate achievement.

But isn’t it true that even without that fantasy matchup, Shields’s career accomplishments stand tall?

Even a casual fan, glancing through her resume, would be hard-pressed not to be impressed. What Claressa Shields has done will likely remain the gold standard for a generation of young women entering the sport. Her legacy is already a benchmark against which future champions will measure themselves.

What’s your take? Do you agree with Terence Crawford’s view that Claressa Shields has surpassed even the legends who came before her?