Shields Rejects Cyborg's $2M Fight Offer

Claressa Shields has no interest in fighting Cris Cyborg, even with $2 million reportedly on the table.

The boxing champion told Ariel Helwani's show that Cyborg's offer falls $8 million short of what she would need to accept the bout. "What a bum, talking about she's offering me $2 million a fight," Shields said, per MMA Mania. "She can't even pay herself $2 million."

Shields Calls Out 2018 Sparring Session

Shields pointed to a 2018 sparring session between the two as proof she would dominate in a sanctioned match. She claimed the four-round spar ended early when Cyborg quit, and that footage later posted online was manipulated to make it look competitive. "I beat the shit out of her," Shields said. "She was down there begging me not to knock her out, not to stop her."

Cyborg is 6-0 in boxing with five knockouts and holds a WIBA World Super Welter belt. The 41-year-old has said 2026 is her final year in combat sports and is pursuing high-profile opponents to close her career. She responded on X after Shields' comments, writing that both fighters could meet at 154 pounds later this year.

Shields said she would only consider the fight for $10 million. "If somebody came with, 'Hey, Clarissa. We got $10 million for you to get in there and knock out Cris Cyborg,' I would do it just for fun," she told Helwani. Shields fights at 160 pounds in August while Cyborg is scheduled at 145.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Claressa Shields shuts down Cris Cyborg’s fight offer: ‘You can’t even pay yourself $2 million’