Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I grew up on North Saginaw, the north side of Flint, which is considered the worst part and I was able to make it; I was able to make it by just making smart decisions from a very young age.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

Living in Flint, poverty is an obstacle that you have to fight through. I always had to fend for my brother and sister - I was always the one to sacrifice my meals so that they could eat.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

You got to adjust to how your life is.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

From my first fight, I loved being in the ring. I tune everything out - the lights, the smells, the noise - so I'm in this zone where I'm performing only for myself.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I've always had heart to get in there and fight. I was taught everything I knew. I was taught how to jab, why to do this, and why not to do that. I was taught that.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

The only thing that me and Muhammad Ali have in common is that we are both Olympic gold medalists and both very outspoken.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

My life is way bigger than boxing or acting or being rich or being famous or endorsements.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

My coach never looked at me as a female fighter, but just as a fighter, as someone he was training. I had to work just as hard as the guys, or harder than them.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

When I was 16, coming up through now at 24, it was so much I thought I had to change about myself. Especially after I won the Olympics.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

There's not a woman in this world that can beat me if we put on a pair of gloves and we fight. I've accomplished so much.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I'm just the undisputed champion - I am great as I think I am and I've been able to prove it by taking on these big challenges and beating these girls who they say cannot be beaten.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I tell all kids and the girls growing up that you control your own life, you control your destiny - not where you're born, not who your parents are.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

Flint is not a hopeless city and I mean that.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I have a healthy respect. The fact that I get ready for each opponent shows my respect.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

A woman can beat me the day I stop working hard. I work so hard in the gym, it would be stupid of me to doubt myself. For me, I know that I'm unbeatable. You can put me in there with whoever.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

Confident is believing in yourself. Being humble is, even though you believe in yourself and you know what you're capable of, you still work 10 times harder than your opponent to make sure you get the output you want.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

I got the nickname T-Rex when I was 11 years old. Back when I was younger, I was very skinny and I had short arms, but I used to always be swinging.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

Boxing gave me self-confidence that I didn't have growing up. When I was young, I was super quiet and I didn't trust anybody. I didn't like having friends.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

Can't nobody else get in there and help you. Your coach, he can't get in the ring and fight with you. You don't have your dad, your mom. When you get in the ring, you don't have anybody but yourself.

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields

The biggest motivation for me is becoming a three-division world champion faster than any other boxer, male or female.