Claressa Shields Reignites Glove Tampering Claim After Sparring Knockdown
Claressa Shields has reignited her long-running glove tampering allegation while responding to criticism from NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
Sharpe questioned the idea that the undisputed heavyweight champion could defeat male fighters, saying the physical divide between men’s and women’s boxing exists for a reason.
“Claressa, we love you, but stop the nonsense. You’re not beating a man,” Sharpe said during a discussion about Shields claiming she could defeat WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero.
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The remarks prompted a fresh response from Shields, who again referenced the controversial 2018 sparring session in which she was dropped by Latvian fighter Arturs Ahmetovs.
Glove Tampering Claim
Shields has long insisted the knockdown happened because she believes the gloves used in the session had little or no padding.
“That guy (Ahmetovs) is a cheat. He didn’t have no padding in his gloves,” Shields said while revisiting the incident.
“If it’s not true, why him and the coach haven’t sued me yet?”
The American star also repeated her belief that the situation stemmed from tensions earlier in the week.
“I whooped him the week before. He was mad and didn’t like it,” she added.
According to Shields, she realized something was wrong only after touching the gloves at the end of the session.
“When I hit the glove, I could tell there was no padding in there,” she explained.
Shields also admitted the moment left her furious.
“I literally ran to my car and everybody knows what I went to my car to do,” she said, referring to a knife she has previously acknowledged grabbing in anger.
Male Comparison Debate
Shields’ decision to revisit the sparring incident while responding to Sharpe’s comments again highlights how sensitive the subject remains for the champion.
The self-proclaimed “GWOAT” has repeatedly defended her standing when comparisons between male and female fighters arise.
A similar debate unfolded when Vasyl Lomachenko was widely praised for becoming a three-division champion in twelve fights.
Shields argued her own achievements should receive more recognition, pointing out that she became an undisputed triple-weight champion in only ten bouts.
Critics often cite the difference in talent pools between men’s and women’s boxing when those comparisons are made.
Shields, however, has consistently maintained that her accomplishments deserve to be discussed alongside the sport’s leading names regardless of gender.
