FURY ERUPTS as Claressa Shields publicly BLASTS Angel Reese’s victory in top sportswoman award showdown—calls out ‘DISRESPECT’ to real champions

In a fiery and unexpected outburst, boxing legend Claressa Shields didn’t hold back after Angel Reese was crowned this year’s top sportswoman. Shields, a multi-title world champion, slammed the decision as a “disgrace to true athletes,” sparking immediate backlash and debate across the sports world. Was this about talent, popularity—or politics? Fans are now divided as Shields questions what defines greatness in women’s sports. Is this the beginning of a new rivalry or a wake-up call for the awards circuit?

Find out what Shields said word-for-word and why it’s sparking shockwaves.

Claressa Shields the undefeated boxing legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist, publicly questioned her loss at the BET Sportswoman of the Year awards after the honor was handed to WNBA star Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. Despite Shields’ impressive résumé, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disappointment – while making it clear she remains “team Angel Reese.”

Shields‘ post read:

“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the @BETAwards but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other Nominees I just thought accolades mattered.”

Shields‘ candid reaction highlights a broader conversation about merit and recognition in sports awards, especially when comparing athletes across different disciplines.

Comparing two dominant athletes

Angel Reese entered the 2025 BET Awards with an impressive portfolio. Her rookie WNBA season neared historic heights-she averaged a record-setting consecutive double-doubles, amassing 15 in a row, and nearly led the league in total rebounds. Reese also made waves in the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league, helping her team, Rose BC, win its first championship, and recorded the WNBA’s only 20-20 performance-achievements that earned her Defensive Player of the Year honors.

By contrast, Shields‘ most recent accomplishments are equally worthy of attention. In July 2024, she claimed both the WBO light heavyweight and WBC heavyweight titles after defeating Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Then, in February this year, she claimed the WBA heavyweight belt by defeating Danielle Perkins. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a 17-time world champion-widely hailed as one of boxing’s greatest-Shields has a decorated legacy.

For many, Shields‘ performance demanded recognition. But Reese‘s breakout rookie season and cultural impact solidified her position in sports discourse, culminating in her BET win.

As Shields and Reese both continue to shine in their respective sports, this episode shines a spotlight on how accolades are weighed-and when they stir passionate reactions. Shields‘ transparency may have ruffled feathers, but it also brought attention to an important dynamic: how athletes define recognition.

Ultimately, both women excel in their arenas-one in the ring, the other on the court. Whether this moment leads to lasting tension or mutual respect remains to be seen, but for now, it underscores the complex interplay between achievement, visibility, and recognition in modern sports.