Claressa Shields starts camp for Keith Thurman fight after calling the former male world champion out for unprecedented showdown
- Shields challenged Thurman, 34, on Monday and said she was bigger than him
- Thurman is considering the fight as long as Shields wears protective head gear
- But the undisputed middleweight champion claims she is physically superior
Claressa Shields claims she is in camp to face Keith Thurman after calling out the former male welterweight champion for an unprecedented battle of the sexes.
Shields, who is the undisputed women’s middleweight champion, challenged Thurman to a fight on Monday and stated she is bigger and taller than him.
The exchange started on Twitter when the self-proclaimed GWOAT responded to a post highlighting quotes from Errol Spence Jr – who lost his unified welterweight titles in a one-sided defeat by Terence Crawford at the weekend.
The Tweet revealed how Spence Jr had said: ‘I didn’t even feel like even considering Keith Thurman as an opponent.’
Shields was quick to respond saying: ‘I’ll fight Thurman at 154lbs so serious. All the respect in the world to him too. I just think I can outbox him.’
Claressa Shields (left) claims she has started camp ahead of a potential fight with former male world champion Keith Thurman (right)
Shields, the undisputed women’s middleweight champion, challenged Thurman to a fight on Monday and stated she was bigger and taller than him
Thurman replied to Shields and said he would consider a charity fight – which would see the GWOAT wear bigger gloves and head protection.
Additionally, he would be restricted to using his jab against the leading pound-for-pound female boxer.
Thurman finished by saying: ‘I don’t want to punch a girl in the face’. To which Shields replied: ‘Aww, Keith you are hilarious.’
The Olympic gold medalist added: ‘Yes, you are a man and champion, but you are not good enough to only use one hand on me.
‘Now for charity or raising money for a foundation, we can definitely do it. I’ll come in at 160 too, I’m actually bigger than you and taller.’
Shields has now revealed she has started camp. She Tweeted: ‘Camp started for Keith Thurman activated ! Let’s go. I’m gonna get in the gym with [former two-weight world champion] Shakur Stevenson to help me prepare.’
This is not the first time Shields has called out a male fighter. She previously challenged Jake Paul to a $100,000, six-round sparring session.
However, Paul never took Shields up on the opportunity.
The exchange between Shields and Thurman started on Twitter when the self-proclaimed GWOAT insisted she would have no problem facing him in the ring
Thurman has only boxed once since slumping to the first defeat of his career against Manny Pacquiao back in July 2019
As a result, Shields is now looking to secure a bout with Thurman – who boasts an impressive 30-1 record.
Thurman has recorded 22 knockouts and holds victories over the likes of Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and Mario Barrios.
His only defeat came against Manny Pacquiao, when he lost a split-decision and surrendered his WBA super-welterweight title back in July 2019.
However, Shields may be jumping the gun by starting camp for their potential bout as Thurman has since called out Terence Crawford.
Thurman requested a fight with Crawford after he dismantled Spence Jr in round nine of their highly-anticipated fight on the weekend.
Speaking after the bout, Thurman said: ‘The better athlete won today. Crawford did his thing. I already said I’m next. Y’all already know.
‘You wanna keep doing great fights? You wanna keep selling out? You wanna do these pay-per-views? Thurman right here, baby. Thurman has no fear, baby.’
