Boxing superstar Claressa Shields is speaking out for the first time since testing positive for marijuana following her February 3, 2025, fight against Danielle Perkins in Michigan.
In an exclusive interview with Tamron Hall, the undefeated champion pushed back against the controversy, suggesting secondhand smoke may have skewed the results while staunchly defending her integrity.
Shields clarified that she isn’t banned from boxing entirely but is temporarily sidelined from competing in Michigan as the situation unfolds.
Recalling the night of the test, she painted a vivid picture: “The place reeked of marijuana, but I have nothing against marijuana. If you smoke it, great for you. But before I took the mouth swab, everybody was hugging and kissing me in Flint. Some boxers don’t stop for fans—I’m not one of them.” The 29-year-old’s approachable nature, a hallmark of her persona, now finds her at the center of an investigation by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission.
The positive result came from an oral fluid sample collected post-fight, triggering scrutiny under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, which prohibit marijuana use during competition.
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While Shields maintains she doesn’t use the substance, the test has led to a state-level suspension and a formal “show notice” from the World Boxing Organization (WBO), demanding an explanation.
The Michigan Commission, meanwhile, is probing whether further action is warranted, stating: “Ms. Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an imminent threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and the welfare and safety of professional athletes.”
In a recent social media post, she called herself a “clean athlete,” doubling down during her sit-down with Hall. “I’ve worked too hard and sacrificed too much to have my name tarnished,” she said. “I’m standing on my innocence.” Her theory? Inhaling secondhand smoke in a crowded, celebratory environment could explain the result—a possibility some experts acknowledge, though proving it remains a challenge.
In professional boxing, fighters like Shields and Perkins face regular testing under programs like the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, overseen by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA). WADA bans marijuana in-competition, citing its potential to affect performance, though it’s permitted out-of-competition. With marijuana legal in many states, including Michigan, the rules spark debate—especially when exposure, not use, might be the culprit.
Shields’ legacy, however, stands firm. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first boxer to claim undisputed titles in three weight classes in the four-belt era, she boasts a flawless 16-0 record. Widely hailed as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) in the sport, her dominance spans multiple divisions, cementing her as a trailblazer. This hiccup, she insists, won’t define her.
As the Michigan Commission continues its review and Shields prepares her response to the WBO, she remains optimistic. “My record and accomplishments speak for themselves,” she told Hall, exuding the confidence that’s fueled her rise. Fans, too, are rallying behind their champ, undeterred by the setback.
