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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Keith Thurman will take on Tim Tszyu on March 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, he has more than one adversary lined up, wanting to fight him. In a recent pinch, the undefeated goat of female boxing, Claressa Shields, once again fired shots at the former unified welterweight champion during an interview.

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The update comes after the duo clashed heads previously in August of last year. Shields had claimed that she could fight and defeat Thurman – no problem. And ‘Onetime’ Thurman had responded by accepting the challenge, provided his conditions were met for the bout! However, nothing ever came out of it! Nevertheless, as Thurman’s return to the ring after two years inches closer, Shields has a few more verbal jabs for Thurman as she predicts a knockout win for Tszyu.

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Shields claims she is better than Keith Thurman in every way

While appearing in an interview with Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, the Flint area native doubled down on her view of Keith Thurman. She refused to believe that Thurman, who was once a world champion, was that great of a boxer. She stated, “Thurman is not that great of a boxer. Is he strong? Yes. But what else?”

Meanwhile, in light of Thurman’s upcoming showdown in March, Shields had a prediction ready, and, of course, Thurman would not like it! “Tim Tszyu’s gonna knock Thurman’s ass out,” said Shields. She then goes on to lord over her superior skills over the former champion and a male boxer, who has only tasted defeat once, and that too at the hands of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

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“I’m a woman, but I’m bigger than Thurman, I’m longer, I’ve got better skills. How’s he gonna take the punches I give him? Thurman can’t take a body shot. You’re talking to a boxing encyclopedia,” said Shields. However, it’s worth highlighting that Thurman had agreed to fight her under some conditions! Here are those conditions.

Thurman doesn’t believe Claressa Shields is a threat

After Shields had made her initial call out to Thurman over X last year, ‘Onetime’ spoke to Sporting News, responding to the callout! “I did not see it [the tweet], but I’ve already got text messages all about it,” said Thurman. He continued, “Look, I can fight for any charity event. We can raise money and let you try to showcase your skills and talent.”

Later, he proceeded to list his conditions to fight a female in the ring if it were possible to begin with. “I’d probably use my jab only…for the people and for charity, I would make something like that happen…I would wear bigger gloves. I would let her wear smaller gloves. I would let her wear headgear, too,” said Thurman.

Also Read: Tim Tszyu Remains Unfazed by “Little Yapper” Keith Thurman

With Thurman preparing to enter the ring after two years, do you think that the comments from Claressa Shields hold weight; or is it just another publicity stunt? Realistically – if the two parties ever fought, who do you think would win? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch This Story: Five Fascinating Facts About Keith Thurman

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Sudeep Sinha

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Sudeep Sinha is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the storylines around the sport's biggest events and names. He previously spent over two years writing in the Boxing department, where his fight-night coverage was featured on Sports Illustrated, Daily Mail, and Yahoo Sports, including his reporting on Ryan Garcia's career arc. On the golf beat, Sudeep covers tour news, player form, and the season-long storylines that shape the men's and women's game, from majors to the ongoing shifts in how professional golf is structured. That same appetite for detail that made his boxing coverage stand out now shows up in how he breaks down a swing change or a schedule shakeup for hardcore and casual fans alike. Outside work, he splits his time between reading, cycling, and following combat sports.

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Arijit Saha

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