The undisputed queen of boxing, Claressa Shields, and super featherweight champ Alycia Baumgardnerhave been trading shots on social media for a minute, but things just officially boiled over into real-life chaos.
At a recent high-profile boxing event, a heated verbal altercation between the two fighters ended with Shields slapping the fire out of Baumgardner ringside. The fallout was instant, Shields found herself banned from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) events.
But while the internet is debating who won the un-sanctioned scuffle, former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant is sliding into the chat to place the blame squarely on one person. Dez took to social media to call out Baumgardner, straight-up accusing her of poking the G.W.O.A.T. (Greatest Woman of All Time) until she reacted.
Dez Bryant Weighs In: “You Provoked Her”
Dez Bryant is no stranger to intense sports rivalries, but he wasn’t feeling Baumgardner’s tactics leading up to the physical altercation. According to Dez, Alycia was doing the absolute most to trigger Shields, using instigation rather than securing the actual fight contract.
“I remember you trying to explain to me about someone you don’t like without a legitimate explanation. I remember telling you how much you two actually influenced each other…My suggestion was that you should hash out your differences and come together to build, because your community was niche with potential. You hated the other person so much that you went and signed with people you don’t like to try to one up somebody you’re extremely jealous of…You’ve literally been provoking this person.. trying to assassinate her character. You are the furthest thing from pushing women’s combat sports forward..you are a hypocrite.delusional..overgrown child..”
By calling out Baumgardner, Dez is signaling that if you talk to a real-world fighter like Shields with disrespect, you have to expect real-world consequences, even if it’s outside the ropes.
Following the ban, Shields released a statement saying,
“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 woman’s boxing to a new level. That doesn’t 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.”
She continued,
“There is documented history of attacks and threats by this person over 4 years 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 I’ve built. I’m 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. I’ve 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. #GWOAT #Claressashields #Respect.”