Laila Ali is in no rush to fight popular boxer Claressa Shields, making it clear she does things in her own time.
According to VIBE the retired boxer trolled fans through an Instagram video on Wednesday (Aug. 6) when she “addressed” Shields’ request to fight with the demanded $15 million on-hand.
“Nobody calls shots on me. I do things when, and how, and where I like to do them!,” Ali teased. She noted that she intends to respond to the lingering question when she’s good and ready— just like those Persian cucumbers she was raving about.
Laila Ali responds to Claressa Shields’ callout:
“Nobody calls shots on me. I do things when, how, and where I like to do them!” pic.twitter.com/rXJtO5Mxkv
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 7, 2025
Just last month, Ali said she’d only end her retirement for $15 million or $20 million.
It didn’t take long for Shields to come forward for the declared amount and formally place her wager. The 30-year-old sat with her team, including boyfriend, Papoose, to rewatch footage of Ali stating that she wouldn’t fight Shields unless a check with the aforementioned amount was attached.
To which Shields responded:
“That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what I like. Laila, I’m here with my team. I got some great news for you. We got the $15 million!”
Claressa Shields secures the $15 million that Laila Ali requested for a fight and challenges Laila Ali to finally fight her.
(????: @TMZ_Sports) pic.twitter.com/b1EFa8LQYw
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 18, 2025
She continued:
“Let’s make a fight between me and you. The best versus the best. The greats versus the greats. The GWOAT versus Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali. Let’s make it happen […] We got the $15 million. We got the venue, and we got the dates. Now all we need is Laila Ali. Is you gonna make the fight happen or what? You asked for $15 million and we delivered.”
