Jake Paul issues statement after giving lifetime ban to world champion boxer after physical altercation
We regularly hear about the short-term bans that are handed out to boxers after finishing a fight, but a more significant punishment has now been handed out to world champion Claressa Shields.
Interestingly, the 31-year-old athlete wasn't even fighting at the weekend when she earned herself a lifetime ban from Jake Paul's boxing organisation Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
Shields is the current world heavyweight champion, boasting a hugely impressive 18-0 record in her career, but she won't be involved in any more MVP fights in the future after an altercation with Alycia Baumgardner.
Boxers are known for doing lots of fighting talk outside the ring, but it seems as if Shields took it a step too far when the two clashed while attending Ronda Rousey's fight against Gina Carano last weekend.
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The fight was shown live on Netflix, with Rousey enjoying a fairytale return after earning a victory in just 15 seconds, meaning that Shields and Baumgardner arguably had a longer fight despite not even entering the ring.
Footage circulating on social media showed the two women getting into a heated confrontation surrounded by security, after which Shields slapped Baumgardner and they had to be separated.
That brief altercation was enough to land Shields a lifetime ban, but it's not the first time things have got physical between the two fighters.
In 2024, another face-off at someone else's boxing match - Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Lemos on this occasion - led to Shields slapping Baumgardner's hand away.
Boxing fans had hoped the pair would take their beef into the ring, but they have said in the past their weight class is too far apart - Shields is a lightweight, Baumgardner is a super featherweight.
Nevertheless, they've exchanged fighting talk, with Shields telling Ring Magazine Baumgardner is 'a non-factor in my life' last year.
Baumgardner, for her part, said 'fighting Claressa was about the money, but it got personal', before claiming she and Shields had agreed to fight each other at 147 pounds, but Shields backed out.
If they ever do go head-to-head, it won't be with MVP.
Paul's company has now issued a statement on the matter, making it clear that it would not tolerate the actions of the world champion, despite her impressive standing within the sport.
The statement read: "Most Valuable Promotions is aware of the incident during MVP’s Rousey vs. Carano event on Saturday night involving physical contact by Claressa Shields toward Alycia Baumgardner.
"MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any of our events. Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment.
"MVP does not condone, tolerate, or accept Claressa Shields’ behaviour in that setting and it reflects poorly on MVP and women’s sports, which we have worked tirelessly to uplift.
"Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice.
"There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable.
"MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation.
"We remain committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all participants and attendees at our events and will continue to enforce these standards without exception."
Shields later took to social media to say: "I'mma continue giving b****** hell respectfully that lil a** girl said ‘I’ll beat your a** right now’ after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim. Can’t go around threatening people, take that & try and GET YOUR LICK BACK! #GWOAT.”
Baumgardner responded simply: "Checkmate."
Topics: Jake Paul, Ronda Rousey
James Moorhouse