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California December 8 2018 Los Angeles Fight Night Action Femeke Hermans Claressa Shields Los Angeles California USA Copyright: xTomxHoganx Best14118_Hoganphotos

via Imago
California December 8 2018 Los Angeles Fight Night Action Femeke Hermans Claressa Shields Los Angeles California USA Copyright: xTomxHoganx Best14118_Hoganphotos
A recent sparring session has reignited the age-old debate surrounding gender and the squared circle. Claressa Shields, the self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ in boxing, has found herself entrenched in a controversy with Rolly Romero. The plot? Claressa Shields wants to “whoop a**” and prove once and for all that she can take on a male boxer, like Romero.
Enter Lou DiBella, a prominent figure in the boxing realm, who recently shared his views on the controversial footage of Claressa Shields being knocked down by a male fighter. The arena of mixed-gender matchups has long been a contentious one, with advocates and skeptics passionately defending their perspectives.
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Lou DiBella is championing safety
Lou DiBella, akin to everyone else on the internet, shared the now-infamous video of Shields being knocked down. Interestingly, Shields issued a warning, stating that anyone reposting the resurfaced video would not only face a block but also have a defamation suit filed against them. That said, DiBella succinctly articulated his views on the video, emphasizing physiological and gender differences, and raising safety concerns as the reason why female boxers should avoid calling out men. While sharing the video, DiBella commented, “Why genetically male boxers should not be allowed to fight female boxers and why female boxers shouldn’t call out men.”
Why genetically male boxers should not be allowed to fight female boxers and why female boxers shouldn't call out men. #boxing https://t.co/j2VTbhBmLa
— Lou DiBella🥊 (@loudibella) December 12, 2023
Ignoring Shields’ warning, DiBella entered the fray, inviting warnings from spectators who mockingly suggested he should anticipate a lawsuit in his mail. Undoubtedly, this controversy involving Claressa Shields, particularly when queries arise about her integrity, remains far from over, and she is not recognized for keeping things on the down low.
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The Sparring Controversy
Arturs Ahmetovs released 2018 sparring footage on December 6, showcasing a crisp jab-cross-hook combination that floored Claressa Shields. Responding swiftly on social media, Shields alleged glove tampering by Ahmetovs after she had “embarrassed him earlier that week.”
Despite facing backlash and reminders from fans about her past claims, Shields stood firm, labeling Ahmetovs and coach Derrick Santos as detrimental to the sport. The discourse continued on her feed, culminating in a statement where Shields threatened legal action against fans and networks asserting she was KO’d in the sparring session. “Anybody or network post that sparring video from 5 years ago getting blocked and a defamation of character letter because I did not get KO’d I got knocked down by a b**** boy with no padding in his gloves,” Shields stated.
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What do you think about Shield’s response to the footage of her being knocked down being shared publicly? Was it an overreaction or was it justified? Let us know in the comments section below.
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