Claressa Shields Reveals Boxing Retirement Timeline After Landing $8M Fight Contract

Fresh off signing a historic $8 million contract for multiple fights, Claressa Shields has a plan in place to wind down her career.

Speaking to reporters while announcing her lucrative new deal, Shields explained that she intends to retire at the age of 38.

The timeline includes either two or three bouts in 2026 before taking a break in 2027 with the goal of having a child and returning to the ring afterward.

"If the baby comes in between that time, again, cool. If not, it's cool, too. I just always wanted to make sure that I have my own family once I'm done boxing," Shields said. "I didn't want to start having kids when I'm 40."

Assuming she stays on that timeline, Shields, who will turn 31 on March 17, will be competing through at least 2032.

The undisputed heavyweight champ agreed to a two-year deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records on Thursday that guarantees her at least $8 million, including an upfront payment of $3 million.

Shields had been competing in both boxing and mixed martial arts with PFL. She went 2-1 during her stint in MMA, but said on Thursday she won't continue because her boyfriend, rap star Papoose, requested she stick with boxing.

"Such a masterful boxer, such a scientist in the ring, why go in there and play around with that?" Papoose said.

Shields is one of the most dominant athletes in the world regardless of sport. She has a 17-0 boxing record in professional bouts with world titles in four different weight classes, including the undisputed light middleweight, middleweight and heavyweight championships.

That came after an amateur career in which Shields became the first American boxer, man or woman, to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016.

Shields' next fight hasn't been set, but she said on Thursday that a showdown with unified super welterweight champion Mikaela Mayer would be very appealing after Mayer's win over Mary Spencer on Oct. 25.