LEFT: Claressa Shields, (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) RIGHT: Alycia Baumgardner, (Photo by Lizeth Ramirez/Getty Images)
It looks like Claressa Shields has that “I’d do it again” energy after going viral for slapping Alycia Baumgardner. The boxers reportedly got into it on Saturday (May 16) following an industry event. Ultimately, Most Valuable Productions (MVP) opted to ban Shields from its future events, while Alycia announced she’s pursuing legal action. But, despite both updates, Claressa appears to be standing by the slap caught on camera!
The beef between Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner has been brewing for years. But on Saturday, things escalated beyond heated words at the MVP MMA 1 event. A viral video shows part of the confrontation. Claressa is seen pointing her finger at Alycia, warning her to stop speaking on her and her relationship with Papoose. “Worry about who the f*ck you’re with, not me,” Shields says. A few seconds later,Alycia tells Shields, “I’ll beat your a*s right now,” and Shields responds by mocking her, telling her she won’t “whoop no a*s.”
Then, near the end of the video, a group of men surrounded and stood between the boxers. Still, Claressa Shields was able to reach across the body block and slap Alycia Baumgardner across the face. Papoose, who was standing nearby, immediately grabbed her and pulled her backward as the women continued to throw words at each other.
On Monday (May 18), Alycia Baumgarden released an official statement about Claressa Shields’ slapping her. She called the incident “unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved.” Also, Alycia claimed that she was “physically assaulted without provocation.” She accused Claressa Shields of having a pattern, saying she’s clowned “other fighters’ brain injuries, initiated one-sided altercations” and displayed hostility toward other women.
“That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport. This behavior reflects a repeatd pattern of hostility, chaos, and attention-seeking conduct that continues to embarass women’s sports. This situation has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally,” Alycia said in her statement.
Additionally, on Monday, MVP banned Claressa Shields from all future events, while praising Alycia Baumgardner’s reaction to being slapped in public, at their event.
“MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any of our events. Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment. MVP does not condone, tolerate, or accept Claressa Shields behavior in that setting and it reflects poorly on MVP and womens sports, which we have worked tirelessly to uplift. Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice. There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable. MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation.”
On Sunday (May 17), Claressa Shields appeared to double down on her energy for Alycia Baumgardner. She posted a photo of herself sticking up her middle finger on X. Then, in her caption, she promised to continue “giving b*tches hell respectfully.”
“Imma continue giving b**ches hell respectfully that lil a*s girl said Ill beat your a*s right now after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim. Cant go around threatening people, take that & try and GET YOUR LICK BACK! #GWOAT”
In another tweeted reply, she alleged that Alycia threatened her, called her “all kind of b*tches too.”
By Tuesday, though, her energy shifted slightly, showing that she had pulled in her own legal team to guide her words. Her new message came after MVP announced their ban and Alycia revealed she’s pursuing her legal options. In a tweet, Claressa Shields claimed internet clips aren’t telling the whole story and pointed to Alycia’s alleged “history of attacks and threats.” She also seemingly positioned the moment as protection.
“I have dedicated my life to the sport of boxing. Through the grace of God I have been blessed. My talent has allowed me to undeniably take womans boxing to a new level. That doesnt stop at the ring. What circulated online does not tell the full story. Until now. I do not condone violence. I never have. But I am also not someone who will stand in silence while continuously being verbally attacked, threatened, discriminated against or assasinate my character. Nor will I allow the reality of disrespect turn into a narrative or talking point about colorism or envy. There is a documented history of attacks and threats by this person that led to this moment, and that history will speak for itself. There is a difference between aggression and protection. I stand on integrity. I stand on what Ive built. Im a champion. I carry that everywhere I go not just in title, but in how I move, what I protect, and what I refuse to accept. Ive fought too hard and come too far to let anyone rewrite my story or define my character. Any further false allegations, or defamation of character will be handled accordingly by my legal team.”
