Two-division undisputed champion Claressa Shields, who is set to face Danielle Perkins on February 2 in pursuit of becoming undisputed in a third weight class, was moved to tears by the overwhelming support her movie ‘The Fire Inside’ is receiving upon release on Christmas Day. So, the undefeated ‘GOWAT’ of boxing has taken to social media to express her gratitude. 

Shields, who proudly refers to herself as a three-division undisputed champion on her X bio, first watched the movie based on her life in January 2024. The film chronicles her inspiring journey from her upbringing in Flint, Michigan, to her rise as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and boxing icon.

The Flint, Michigan native has already declared the movie “very accurate,” having played a hands-off role in the making of the film—reports reveal she had just OK’d the script. Shields also seems to have had lengthy conversations with producer Barry Jenkins to ensure she was fine with sharing intricate and personal details of her life through the movie.

‘T-Rex’ secured gold in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, which made her the first American boxer, regardless of sex, to win gold in back-to-back Olympic Games. The movie’s main premise explores Shields’ road to London, concluding as she starts training for Rio. Regardless, with the movie ready to hit the theaters tonight—Shields preemptively thanked her fans.

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“I’m crying my eyes out,” she wrote on X. “All the support for ‘The Fire Inside’ is so touching! Changing so many hearts & lives! Everyone who got tickets thank you so much. It means the world!” Meanwhile, Claressa Shields has revealed what she wants the movie to do for her fans!

Claressa Shields on Ryan Destiny portraying her in the movie

“I want them to see everything wasn’t easy,” the undefeated boxer said in a conversation with ESPN. “It was hard mentally and physically and emotionally and it took a lot to overcome those things, but I wanted those things to be in there, because I’m not ashamed of them, and I think it’ll help somebody else.”

Throughout the movie’s making, Shields was in touch with Ryan Destiny, the actress who brought Shields’ character to life. After peppering the actress with questions about whether she had ever been in a fight, Shields was worried to learn Destiny had never even played any sports before getting Shields’ role. 

“I was praying for her. I said, ‘Oh, Lord, please give her the strength ’cause I know it’s going to be hard,” Shields told ESPN. Destiny also told ESPN that she may have scared Shields because “I was maybe a little too pretty, a little too prissy for the role.” However, Shields seems to have eventually come around to loving Destiny’s involvement. 

That said, Claressa Shields seems confident her movie will have a blockbuster opening on Christmas Day, as she preemptively thanked her fans for purchasing tickets. However, the real test lies in how audiences will respond to the film. Are you planning to watch it tonight?