Shields issues GWOAT challenge to Taylor & Serrano

Claressa Shields has challenged Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano to fight her and settle the greatest woman fighter of all time debate.

Shields, nicknamed the GWOAT and considered one of the world’s best boxers, male or female, aims to become a four-weight world champion on Saturday.

The undefeated American steps up to 12st 7lb (175lb) to fight for the WBC heavyweight title and WBO light-heavyweight belt.

Speaking at a news conference before her fight in Detroit with Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, Shields addressed her rivals.

“Any of those girls who want to be the GWOAT, all you got to do is make the fight with me,” she said.

“Alycia Baumgardner, Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor – all you got to do is make the fight with me. Then I can show you, you’re not the GWOAT.”

Shields, 29, is undefeated in 14 pro fights and was the first fighter, male or female, to be undisputed champion in two weight classes in the four-belt era.

The two-time Olympic champion has been world champion at middleweight, light-middleweight and super-middleweight.

Irishwoman Taylor replicated Shields’ undisputed achievement last year, while Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano is a seven-weight world champion.

“Everyone is talking about who’s the GWOAT? Who’s undefeated? Who got the most belts?,” Shields added.

“Who made the million dollars last couple of time she fought? Without a promoter giving her a handout? That’s what a GWOAT is. Who fights the best?

“Who don’t struggle in fights no matter what size? Exactly.

“All that comparison about who the GWOAT is, I can go to any weight class and win. That’s who the GWOAT is.”

The WBC title Shields challenges for is classified as ‘heavyweight’ by the sanctioning body, but it is contested at the light-heavyweight limit of 12st 7lb (175lb), hence why the fight is being advertised as both at heavyweight and light-heavyweight.