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The feud between Claressa Shields and Jake Paul appears to be simmering down.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Shields praised Paul for doing great things for his fighter Amanda Serrano, and women’s boxing as a whole.
Paul, through his MVP Promotions, helped Serrano finalize a deal to face undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor on April 30 in Madison Square Garden.
“I wish [Jake] the best,” Shields says, continuing … “What he’s doing for Amanda is great. I think that him getting involved in helping the fight with Katie Taylor is great for Amanda and Katie and it’s great for women’s boxing.
“I appreciate him for that and I just wish him the best in whatever he does and just keeps his damn hands up, that’s it.”
Last year, Paul and Shields were trading plenty of words on social medial – with Paul ridiculing Shields in the aftermath of her mixed martial arts defeat. She was competing in her second MMA fight for PFL.
“The only beef I have with Jake Paul is don’t ever disrespect me. He tried to kick me when I was down and also going to a new sport,” Shields said.
“I lost a split decision. I didn’t get submitted, I didn’t get knocked out, I didn’t get beat up. It was a split and I’m also brand new in MMA and when he made that comment, calling me a loser and stuff, that’s what really made me want to fight him.”
The 26-year-old Shields will defend the WBA, WBC, IBF middleweight titles against 21-0-1 Ema Kozin on February 5 in the UK.
“You know, she’s doing a whole bunch of talking. She’s saying like she ain’t scared of my reputation and I want her to know that the reputation is real. All the belts is real. All the gold medals is real. All the girls who I beat up showed that I’m the best is real. So when she gets in there I just hope that she’s not thinking that she just go out there and do her best she gonna win,” Shields said.