“You Declined”: While NFL Legend Gets Caught In Between, Alycia Baumgardner Claps Back at Claressa Shields for Painting a Narrative About Not Having “Enough Heart to Walk Up” to Her Face

A rather innocuous tailgate event seems to have spawned an online slanging match. It is between two of the biggest names in women’s boxing. Undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields and undisputed super featherweight title holder Alycia Baumgardner were present at an event organized by NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant.

The latest back-and-forth follows Alycia Baumgardner’s call out for a fight. Shields successfully defended her undisputed titles from Maricela Cornejo in June. ‘The Bomb,’ on the other hand, followed suit a month later against Christina Linardatou. Neither of them has stepped back into the ring since then. Shields reportedly claims that Baumgardner avoided her despite the host arranging a friendly face-off between the two. She had shared a few details through her X/Twitter handle. Soon after, the super featherweight champion came back with her rejoinder. The exchange has been steadily gaining momentum among fans and followers.

Claressa Shields goes on the offensive

Early today, FightHype shared a short clip of the story. Apart from the tweets both Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner traded, the clip shows both sitting in the same row. Dez Bryant, wearing what could be a Stetson Western hat, sits in between. They were watching the finals between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions in Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.

So early today, Claressa Shield wrote that Dez Bryant had apparently checked with her about arranging a friendly face-off with Alycia Baumgardner. The super featherweight champion had initially sought it. But despite all the tough online chats and calls out, she could barely muster any courage to approach her face-to-face, according to Shields.

However, the two-time Olympic gold medalist made one thing clear: She might be willing for a face-off; however, no one should expect that she will be friendly. Her stand comes on account of ‘The Bomb’ having been quite disrespectful.

A riposte from Alycia Baumgardner follows

Roughly an hour later, Alycia Baumgardner replied. Trying to set the record straight, she said that she had sought permission from Dez Bryant. It was out of respect for the NFL legend. However, there’s no reason why anyone should accuse her of ducking when both she and Shields were sitting in such close proximity. Not even once did the latter approach her. Instead, she is now putting the matter online in front of everyone.

Then, pointing out the inconsistency in her conduct, Baumgardner reminded Shields that it was the middleweight champion who had initially told her to maintain the same energy when they met in person. Finally, she told Claressa Shields not to talk about her altogether.

Interestingly, Baumgardner’s response came following a user who had earlier told Shields that ‘The Bomb’ did approach Dez Bryant out of consideration for his tailgate event. Then they added, “Anyone can see that you’re not as mature and would cause a conflict… You’re tryna spin the narrative…ineffectively I might add…”

The new twist in the story might further add to the hype that has been surging ever since Alycia Baumgardner called out Claressa Shields. Undoubtedly, given their credentials as outstanding athletes, a fight any day had every chance of becoming a blockbuster. But given the weight difference, it remains to be seen how the two sort out the matter, if at all they reach an agreement.

Read More: “You, But Not on VADA”: Claressa Shields’ Message to Alycia Baumgardner Amid Self Doping Test Fiasco Receives Backlash From Fans

What’s your take on the Baumgardner-Shields story? Do you think it’s a fight in the making? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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