Claressa Shields is putting an even clearer timeline on her plans to become a mother with Papoose. During a recent interview with Rickey Smiley, the boxing star said she expects to complete two more fights before turning her attention toward having a child.
Video
“We having a baby next year, Rickey. I got this fight here, I got one more fight. Then after that, I’m having me a baby champ,” Shields stated.The announcement was met with applause before Rickey Smiley responded, “Love is in the air.”
The latest comments add another layer to the Claressa Shields baby plans she has discussed publicly throughout 2026. Shields has repeatedly made it clear that motherhood is something she wants to pursue while she is still actively competing rather than waiting until her boxing career is completely finished.
Her family plans come during another major stretch in the ring. Shields defeated Kaye Scott by technical knockout in the sixth round on August 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, reclaiming the WBC middleweight championship. The victory earned Shields the middleweight title.
The win moved Shields to 19 professional victories without a loss. The publication reported that Shields returned to the 160-pound division after competing at heavyweight, where she had become undisputed champion.
In March, Shields appeared on “Way Up With Angela Yee” and revealed that she and Papoose were looking toward 2027 to expand their family. Shields said, “Next year will be a whole different level of content because me and Pap plan on having our first child together.”
She doubled down on those plans months later during Cam Newton’s “Funky Friday” podcast. Shields discussed how much time she and Papoose spend together outside of training camp and continued speaking openly about eventually stepping away from boxing long enough to have a child.
With more fights still on her schedule, her plan does not signal an immediate exit from boxing. While she has made it clear she is not yet pregnant, Shields is clear about how she wants the next chapter of her life to unfold.
