Claressa Shields hurt Shakur Stevenson in sparring battle

Claressa Shields has claimed she once hurt Shakur Stevenson during a sparring session, with a resurfaced video now making the rounds in the boxing world.

Speaking to KO Artist Sports, Shields said she and Stevenson shared rounds on two occasions, and one of them turned into a toe-to-toe battle.

“I have sparred Shakur twice, and it went very physical,” Shields revealed. “I was going forward a lot and cutting off the ring. So, he really was in there, standing there banging with me.

“I hit him with a very hard body shot that p***ed him off. I mean, he just started going and started throwing everything.”

Shields’ sparring history

The comments add to Shields’ growing reputation for taking on men in sparring, with the self-proclaimed GWOAT also having previously been dropped by Latvian Arturs Ahmetovs in a sparring session back in 2018.

At the time, the heavyweight champion dismissed the flash knockdown by saying, “[This was] Five years ago. The dude is just now putting the video out for clout. Man, he’s so weird.

“I have no problem getting caught in sparring. It happens. I spar the majority of Men! But this dude Arthur and his coach, Derrick Santos, were embarrassed.

“The next time we sparred, he purposely wore gloves with no little to no padding. I can’t make this up. I couldn’t believe it.”

Shields has never shied away from testing herself outside of traditional boundaries, even calling out former welterweight champion Keith Thurman to a real fight. This bold challenge drew headlines across the sport.

A playful rivalry?

While there’s no serious bad blood between Shields and Stevenson, the resurfaced clip sparked debate among fans about how competitive the sessions may have been.

Stevenson, known for his slick defensive style, is rarely drawn into firefights in the ring. Shields, by contrast, thrives on pressure and aggression.

The idea that she caught him clean with a body shot has fueled plenty of social media chatter, with fans split on whether the story should be taken with a pinch of salt.

For Shields, though, the claim underscores her willingness to push limits, whether against men in the gym, women in the ring, or even champions like Thurman, whom she has publicly challenged.

About the Author

Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.