Claressa Shields, the undisputed queen of boxing, spoke up after Angel Reese claimed the 2025 BET Sportswoman of the Year award. The ceremony took place on June 9, and Shields expressed surprise and mild disappointment on X (formerly Twitter):
“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the BET Awards, but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other nominees. I just thought accolades mattered.”
Shortly after, she clarified that her comments weren’t personal digs at Reese. “Ain’t nobody saying Angel Reese don’t have accolades or she not good… I’m saying I thought the person with ‘THE MOST’ accolades & accomplishments would win the Award. I’m team Angel Reese!” Shields added that she respects Reese and all nominated athletes, emphasizing that it’s okay to feel competitive and hope merit would decide the winner.
Her reaction sparked mixed responses online: some defended her expressing honest feelings, others urged grace. But Shields immediately addressed the backlash, saying she holds no ill will toward Reese and stands firmly in support of women excelling in their sports.
At 30 years old and dominating five weight classes—including undisputed heavyweight since February 2025—Shields has a résumé that’s hard to match . Angel Reese, meanwhile, continues to build her WNBA profile and now adds her second BET Sportswoman title to a growing list of honors .
Beyond the award, Shields’ statements reflect a broader conversation: how we value sports achievements, merit versus popularity, and celebrating the success of fellow female athletes—without hiding competitiveness.