Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner no longer exchange insults like rival champions trying to sell a fight. The dispute has now escalated into a physical confrontation, possible police involvement and an indefinite ban so solemn that the situation goes far beyond boxing.

What began as another social media war between two of women’s boxing’s biggest names exploded publicly at the inaugural MVP event over the weekend after Shields admitted to punching Baumgardner during a backstage confrontation.

The feud quickly escalated, and Baumgardner appeared to allude to police involvement on social media, issuing a public statement against Shields and Most Valuable Promotions that banned the undisputed heavyweight champion from all future events until further notice.

Klaressa Shields slaps

Footage circulating online shows a heated argument between the pair, after which Shields punched Baumgardner during the exchange.

Shields later openly admitted to punching her rival and stated that Baumgardner had threatened her earlier.

“I will continue to give bitches hell with respect. This little ass said ‘I’m going to kick your ass now’ after she has already disrespected me,” Shields wrote.

“Now you’re playing the victim with class. You can’t threaten people, accept it [slap] and try to get your licking back!”

As online criticism mounted, Shields doubled down again.

“I didn’t smuggle anyone in. I was right next to her,” Shields wrote in another post.

In reports surrounding the incident, Baumgardner compared Shields to James Brown shortly before the confrontation became physical, although neither player has publicly confirmed this version of events.

The rivalry had already become one of the ugliest public feuds in women’s boxing long before things finally spilled out behind the scenes in Los Angeles.

Statement of Alycia Baumgardner

Baumgardner later issued a lengthy statement accusing Shields of a repeated pattern of “hostility, chaos and attention-seeking behavior.”

“When your goal is to rise above, there will always be people who will try to bring you down to the level from which they operate,” Baumgardner said.

“When I participated as a guest at the inaugural MMA Most Valuable Promotions gala, I experienced physical violence without provocation.

“This behavior reflects a repeated pattern of hostility, chaos and attention-seeking that continues to shame women in sports.”

Baumgardner added that the case will continue to be handled “legally and professionally.”

The unified champion also released footage of her speaking to police after the incident, fueling speculation that the altercation may now have legal ramifications.

in MVP

MVP later released his own statement confirming that Shields had been banned indefinitely from all future corporate events.

“Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice,” the promotion announced.

“There is a time and place for tension and banter, but physically attacking another athlete while they are a guest in a private VIP area is unacceptable.”

The organization also thanked the facility’s security for quickly deescalating the situation and praised Baumgardner for refraining from further retaliation during the incident.

Shields vs. Baumgardner

The strange thing about boxing is that the bad blood now seems bigger than the fight itself.

Baumgardner recently fought at 129 pounds while defending her super featherweight titles, while Shields now fights at heavyweight after weighing in at around 174 pounds in her most recent fights.

This puts the pair more than £40 apart before negotiations even begin.

The competition outside the ring is getting fiercer, and the fight itself is looking less and less realistic.

What once looked like one of the biggest possible superfights in women’s boxing now feels like something else entirely.

Hit. Possible police involvement. Indefinite ban.

And still no fight.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Rumors of a fight between Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis have surfaced once again, but if that fight were to happen, two-division world champion Zab Judah admitted he only sees one winner.

After this fight, Davis challenged Haney to fight for Haney’s WBO welterweight world title in January by knocking out Jamaine Ortiz and although the master seemed interested at first, whispers of their potential meeting soon died down.

But after Davis won a unanimous decision in his rematch with Nahir Albright on Saturday, Haney took to social media to renew his interest in facing the Norfolk-born former WBO lightweight champion.

Although talking to MillCity BoxingJudah, who is Haney’s godfather, stated that he does not see Davis beating “The Dream” at welterweight, where the champion’s greater size would make him the favorite.

“I like Keyshawn, Keyshawn is a great fighter. I thought he had a great performance last night, but Keyshawn can’t beat Devin. No way, not now, not at 147 pounds – no way.”

“No disrespect and no looking at Keyshawn, he’s my little man, I rock with him, but based on what we saw last night, I don’t know. [if he can beat Haney]”

“I wouldn’t say it’s an basic job, but I would just say it’s food and we’re going to eat it.”

Haney has been linked to a rematch with Ryan Garcia, who is now scheduled to face Conor Benn instead, making Davis the favorite to make Haney’s first defense since becoming the 147-pound world champion.

“And as far as his skills go, I think he’s just one step away from being perfect. He does everything well,” Keyshawn said. “He doesn’t have anything great in his arsenal. Everything is just fine. That’s good. That’s good. That’s good. Which makes him a good fighter. But he’s just not among the elite of the elite.”

The comments came during an appearance on the “What’s Up That Podcast,” where Davis spent much of the interview discussing Haney, Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and the effects of losing weight following his canceled fight with Edwin De Los Santos last year.

Keyshawn said he approached Bill Haney earlier this year about making this fight happen, but he believes the other side has gone serene since then.

“You may have seen this video before. Me and Shakur walked up to Bill at the weigh-in for the last fight in January. Long story brief, I thought, ‘Hey, we’re going to fight this year, right?’ He said, ‘Man, mind your own business.’ I said, “I’ll mind my own business.” Will we fight this year? He said, “Just keep your word after the fight.”

Davis then said:

“Why don’t I fight Devin now after the fight? If you want to call it a duck, call it a duck.”

He also asked if Haney has looked the same since his loss to Ryan Garcia.

“Don’t you think he’s the same? The world doesn’t think he’s the same.”

Still, Davis acknowledged that Haney showed toughness by continuing to get up during the Garcia fight.

“I have a lot of respect for him as a player. Fuck, it’s not basic to come back from that.”

The interview moved on to several possible future fights, including fights with Haney, Conor Benn, Tank Davis, and even boxing events with influential people. Keyshawn has repeatedly said he wants the biggest fights available and claimed fans are already demanding a tougher pushback against him.