Claressa Shields, born March 17, 1995, is 29 years old. But at such a young age, the professional boxer is already in a league of her own. In February 2025, Shields made boxing history. She won a match against fellow boxer Danielle Perkins, becoming the first male or female boxer to hold undisputed belts in three weight categories. Shields is now the first woman to hold the title of undisputed heavyweight champion.

The fight was held in her beloved hometown of Flint, Michigan, so she celebrated the landmark win with her community.

“I looked around and I was like, ‘Wow, Flint, y’all really love me for real,'” Shields told The Detroit News the day of the fight. 

Financially, the historic fight and successful win added some dollars to Shields’s pocket, although the exact amount is undisclosed. With undisputed titles and Olympic medals, Shields is proof that women can have a lucrative boxing career. This leaves people wondering what her net worth is.

How Did Claressa Shields Become Famous?

Shields’s rise to fame is entirely due to her impressive boxing career. She was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where she experienced a tough childhood. Shields used boxing as an activity to release stress. 

“I love boxing so much! man. From the time I walked into the gym and saw those two guys sparring for the first time to the day, I had my very first boxing match, threw my first punch, and even the time I got punched in the face, I just love boxing!” she told BuzzFeed in 2024.

During her teenage years, the boxer made especially huge achievements in the sport. In 2012, she became the first American woman to win a gold boxing medal at just 17 years old. This feat was during the 2012 Olympic Games, which was the first time women’s boxing was an Olympic event.

Claressa Shields’s Career Milestones

At a young age, Shields is one of the best female professional boxers in the world. In addition to earning her first Olympic gold medal in 2012, she took home another in 2016. She’s the first American woman to win gold at the Pan American Games in 2015.

In 2018, Shields was inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

“I believe I am worthy of any honor, but I know things take time, and I always thought I would put in the Hall of Fame at the age 40 or 50. This is a big deal to me, and I feel so honored. Just to have my name mentioned alongside names of greats like Andre Ward and Roy Jones just really motivates me. I feel privileged,” Shields said at the event, according to usaboxing.org.

That same year, her gloves were enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Shields’ historic career from childhood to going pro is outlined in the 2024 film “The Fire Inside.” Executive produced by the athlete, the film sees actress (and fellow Michigan native) Ryan Destiny portraying her. 

Claressa Shields Other Athletic Pursuits

After a huge boxing win, Shields isn’t only continuing with her professional boxing career but her MMA fighting as well. In 2024, the boxer announced her unofficial return to mixed martial arts. That same year, she signed a multiyear deal for the Professional Fighters League to play MMA. 

“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization and I can’t wait to return to the PFL SmartCage,” Shields said in a released statement. “My goal remains unchanged. I will be the first athlete to hold championships in boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”

Although Shields never exactly left MMA, she hasn’t fought in the sport since 2021. She made her MMA debut on June 10, 2021, during a Professional Fighters League 4 fight against Brittney Elkin. The fight resulted in a win for Shields, though she lost her 2021 PFL World Championship MMA fight against Abigail Montes.

Advocating for Equal Pay In Women’s Boxing

Although Shields is a knockout (no pun intended) in boxing, she doesn’t make nearly enough compared to her male counterparts. 

“We don’t get the equal TV time, the equal promotion, equal pay. That’s what I’ve been trying to do with my platform, make sure I get all of that,” she told The Associated Press in 2023.

As a female boxer, it’s even difficult to find networks that will showcase their fights. According to Shields, some of her fights scheduled months in advance will suddenly be canceled.

“It’s not just a women’s boxing match. It’s a fight for women’s equality, and everybody can play their part,” Shields told ESPN in 2021. “If you think that women deserve equal rights, equal pay, equal promotion, you will tune into this fight, even if you don’t like women’s boxing. You know, if you don’t like me, if you don’t like my opponent, whatever the case may be, if you believe in women’s equal rights, this is the time for you to play a part.”

What Is Claressa Shields’ Net Worth?

For example, some of the first American men to win a gold medal in boxing include George Foreman and Eddie Eagle. Foreman’s estimated net worth is  over $200 million, and he earned up to millions of dollars per fight at times. As a result, Shields uses her platform to advocate for equal pay in women’s sports, especially in professional boxing. 

“It’s not just a women’s boxing match. It’s a fight for women’s equality and everybody can play their part,” Shields said. “If you think that women deserve equal rights, equal pay, equal promotion, you will tune into this fight, even if you don’t like women’s boxing. You know, if you don’t like me, if you don’t like my opponent, whatever the case may be, if you believe in women’s equal rights, this is the time for you to play a part.”

As an athlete, Shields’ primary source of income comes from boxing. Shields is earns money for each fight, but the amount she earns varies. For example, according to ESPN, she earned “$50,000” for a fight against Franchón Crews-Dezurn in 2016. The match marked her professional debut. Years later, in a 2020 fight against Ivana Habazin, she earned $300,000, also according to ESPN. Her most recent fight in 2025 left her with an alleged $1.5 million purse, which is the total amount of money a boxer is paid for a match. In addition, Shields probably earns money from endorsement deals and sponsorships. 

A quick Google search reveals Shields’ alleged net worth is between $1 million and $5 million. But these are just claims. In addition, Shields probably earns money from her fights, endorsements, and executive producing credits.