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via Imago

via Imago

In an electrifying face-off at Super Bowl Radio Row, Cris Cyborg and Claressa Shields exchanged more than just glances. Cyborg called Shields “goofy,” setting an intriguing tone. The debate was over weight – not the kind you lift, but the kind you lose or gain for a fight.

Cyborg’s leap into boxing stirred the pot, challenging Shields at 147 pounds. But what’s with the specific weight and Cyborg’s claim that boxing isn’t a “real fight”? She’s hinting at something bigger, a clash not just of fists but of philosophies.

Claressa Shields holds her ground on the 147lbs base

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At the heart of the Super Bowl Radio Row, an intense conversation unfolded between Cris Cyborg and Claressa Shields. Cyborg questioned Shields’ reluctance to fight at 147 pounds. “Why you want to meet 147?” Shields probed, questioning Cyborg’s weight class preference. Cyborg candidly responded, “Because I don’t have any experience boxing.”

The dialogue escalated as Shields mentioned her hundred amateur fights, to which Cyborg pointed out, “You have experience in boxing? We make the weight together and we can both.” Shields firmly stated, “Well, I’m not going to 47,” prompting Cyborg to suggest, “Well, you can do 47 if you can-“ only for Shields to counter, “And you can make 55.”

Cyborg’s plea for a compromise, “Yeah, but you have a lot of fights, so we can make a deal,” met Shields’ inquiry about the significance of an 8-pound difference. Cyborg argued, “Why can’t you lose? You eat a little less, get on a strict diet, and you can make weight.” Shields retorted, “You get on a strict diet, you can gain weight.”

Following this spirited exchange, Cyborg took to her YouTube channel to further elaborate her stance. “There is nothing scary about you. Box is not real fight. In real fight, I suplex you in your head and you knock yourself out because you don’t know break or fall,” she declared. She then educated her audience on the nuances of combat sports, “Women’s boxing, 147 pounds, fight 8 ounce gloves. And if you fight 154, you fight 10 ounce gloves.” Cyborg reaffirmed her willingness to enter Shields’ domain under one condition, “You have to make 147 to we can fight 8 ounce gloves.”

Amanda Serrano wasn’t a fan of Cyborg’s comments and she came back with her own words!

Serrano urges Cris to stick to Claressa! 

Amanda Serrano took to Twitter to voice her perspective. Serrano wrote, “Cris Boxing is real fighting. I understand what you mean but you can’t discredit our sport. If it’s not Real why do you want to do it or are doing it?” She expressed her affection for Cyborg but did not shy away from pointing out the disrespect implied by Cyborg’s comments.

“I love you & would never disrespect you but c’mon hun you’re disrespecting us all by saying that. Your beef is with Claressa not the sport.” Serrano’s message concluded with a forgiving tone, yet she urged Cyborg to find a different analogy that doesn’t diminish their mutual profession.

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Also Read: Claressa Shields’ $7,500 Seat Becomes Huge Incentive for Boxing Fans to Attend Super Bowl LVIII

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What does this dialogue reveal about the evolving landscape of women’s combat sports? Furthermore, how will these exchanges shape the future of cross-discipline matchups?

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