Claressa Shields is angry, and she is making her anger known. The American boxer, who put women’s combat sports back into focus, is struggling to understand the reason behind her snub from ESPN’s trailblazing athletes. After all, her name is synonymous with female combat sports, cutting across the sweet science of boxing and MMA. So, she asks one critical question—why must she sit and wait for the acknowledgment?

It started when ESPN flashed a graphic, where it listed the trailblazing athletes in women’s sports. Understandably, Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Caitlin Clark made the cut. But Shields, 29, didn’t find her mention there. Then she took to her X handle and questioned the list, asking whether she should run her resume to the sports outlet. It wasn’t long before Forbes’ Brian Mazique covered a story about it, which didn’t sit well with the former 2-time Olympics gold medalist.

Shields, at 15-0, again took to her X handle, and admitted how the Forbes got her “so hot.” Explaining her emotional state, she continued, “He [Mazique] is talking about how he hasn’t agreed with my opinions in the past. But this time, I’m right. And me wanting attention from this. Me wanting attention from that. But this time, it’s validated. And then he doesn’t put any facts in it.”

The Flint native then vented her frustration about how she had to speak up first before someone took a stand for herself. That was her breaking point. Shields added, “This is my thing—why I gotta wait for something that y’all don’t care about. Y’all not gonna ask me. You guys don’t care about my accomplishments being overlooked, you guys don’t care about me being overshadowed, you guys don’t care about my hard work going unnoticed, you guys don’t care. So, why would I sit and wait for you guys to acknowledge me?”

‘GWOAT’ then expanded on her argument and pointed out how she had been doing something for women’s boxing, which was never done before. In addition, she concluded her side of the story by putting out how no one would have come out and spoken for her if she hadn’t done it herself. However, there was one name in the boxing world, that took a stand for her, Edgar Berlanga.

Edgar Berlanga stands with Claressa Shields

The Puerto Rican boxer had expressed his solidarity with Shields, as he declared, “I respect and f*** with @Claressashields stand up lady 🤝.” Berlanga, 27, lauded her for speaking out and issued his respect for whatever she has done. This trailblazing list saga has again put Shields into the limelight, but not for her professional exploits, like she wants to.

The 5-division champion even ventured to the heavyweight category to solidify her resume and legacy, and she did it comfortably. But she is not sure whether she wants to continue at heavyweight. She has her options open. It won’t be long before we see her back in the ring, whether the squared one or the one with a smart cage.

What do you make of these comments by Claressa Shields? Do you agree with her? Let us know in the comments below.