Women’s boxing champ Claressa Shields signs $8 million promotional deal, plans ring return in 2026

Advertisement

Advertise with us

NEW YORK (AP) — Claressa Shields signed a multi-fight deal Thursday that will pay her a minimum of $8 million, and the undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion plans to return to the ring in early 2026.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/11/2025 (308 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK (AP) — Claressa Shields signed a multi-fight deal Thursday that will pay her a minimum of $8 million, and the undisputed women’s heavyweight boxing champion plans to return to the ring in early 2026.

Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-division champion as a professional, last fought in July when she beat Lani Daniels in Detroit to defend her heavyweight belts.

There were no set number fights in the deal with Wynn Records and Salita Promotions, a partnership that builds off the success of the fight in Detroit, which drew an announced crowd of 15,366 at Little Caesars Arena. It offers cross-promotional opportunities for the Flint, Michigan, native.

FILE - Claressa Shields captures the undisputed heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2, 2025, at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mi. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File)
FILE - Claressa Shields captures the undisputed heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Danielle Perkins on Feb. 2, 2025, at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mi. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File)

“From the start of her career, Claressa Shields has shattered barriers in the pursuit of equality and recognition. She became the first American boxer to win two Olympic gold medals, the first woman to headline a premium-cable boxing event, and a multidivision undisputed world champion,” said Dmitriy Salita, the president of Salita Promotions. “Today, she moves into a new era, signing a landmark multi-million-dollar partnership that will elevate women’s sports to new heights.”

The 30-year-old Shields (17-0) won gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She has held titles from the 154-pound limit through heavyweight and is the only fighter to hold all four major world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously.

___

AP Boxing: https://apnews.com/hub/boxing

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD UNCATEGORIZED ARTICLES