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.
Advert
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.
Shields was filmed slapping Bumgardner's hand away, with security forced to step in, and that brief altercation was enough to land her the lifetime ban.
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