On Thanksgiving Day, Claressa Shields and Chantelle Cameron would have faced off at the 50-yard-line at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, to promote their super fight.
The boxers would have returned in an early February weekend to fight -- the first U.S. women's boxing match to be held in a stadium.
That was the plan, said Matt Donovan, Head of Communications for Salita Promotions, which represents Shields and planned to promote the fight with a clear appeal: Shields is No. 1 in the pound-for-pound rankings, and Cameron is No. 2.
It's a fight in jeopardy.
Shields and Cameron have expressed strong interest in the super fight, but the negotiations have hit an impasse between Dmitry Salita of Salita Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded
by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. Salita has offered a $1.1 million guarantee to Cameron and, according to Salita, a chance to make at least $1.5 million based on ticket sales.
“The last time the No. 1 and No. 2 fought, they walked away with over $10 million,’’ Bidarian said.
MVP co-promoted that show in 2022. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano electrified a sellout crowd of about 19,000 at Madison Square Garden and, according to DAZN, sold 1.5 million pay-per-view buys, a record for women’s boxing.
“But we’re not making that offer,’’ Bidarian said, directing his words at Salita Promotions, “because you haven’t apologized, you haven’t shown the respect to the rest of the women in the sport of boxing, so you make us the offer.’’
While the deal might not come together, the appeal of the matchup is undeniable.
Shields, 31, is a two-time Olympic medalist, is 19-0 as a pro, and has won championships in five weight classes. She is currently the undisputed heavyweight champion and WBA and WBC middleweight champion. Cameron. 35, is the unified junior middleweight champion, is 23-1, and is the only boxer to have beaten the legendary Katie Taylor.
Salita said Chantelle could make $1.5 milliion or more based on tickets sold. DAZN had agreed to carry the fight, and said he would like to see it broadcast without a pay-per-view fee. Salita said Bidarian wants an apology from Shields.
The demand for an apology likely stems from an incident that took place on May 16. Shields got into an altercation with Alycia Baumgardner, one of MVP's top boxers, at the Ronda Rousey MMA comeback fight promoted by MVP.
"A personal grudge and a demand for an apology are getting in the way of a life-changing opportunity and a seven-figure payday for your fighter, Chantelle Cameron,'' Salita wrote on X Tuesday, Nov. 9., "who made it clear she wants the fight. Which should matter more?''
Claressa Shields as backup option
Dimitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions, has shown no intention of apologizing or acquiescing to MVP’s demands.
In fact, on Sunday, Salita told USA TODAY Sports his company has signed a multi-fight deal with Sarah Scheurich, the IBF light heavyweight champion. He said Shields is prepared to fight Scheurich next if the fight with Cameron fails to materialize.
Shields would prefer the fight against Cameron, the unified champion of the junior middleweight division, according to Salita. The fight likely would take place at the 160-pound middleweight division and is viewed as a chance to expand the reach of women’s boxing.
(Perhaps only a fight between Laila Ali and Shields would reach a broader audience, but the 48-year-old Ali has shut down that speculation.)
The matchup between Shields and Cameron would have to be finalized in less than a month to coordinate with DAZN and venues, so Shields plans to fight in February, according to Salita.
He also said the window for the super fight could be closing faster than expected for the 31-year-old Shields.
“I don't know how much longer she can hold it,’’ Salita said. “She wants to have a baby. You know, life happens.’’
'Apology video'
Bidarian clearly thinks MVP and Cameron has the leverage in negotiating the fight.
“That is the most important event for Claressa Shields' career,’’ he said. “It would propel her to new heights to fight the true No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter...So they just don’t understand the bigger picture. They should be doing anything they can to get Chantelle to accept the fight.’’
Paul chimed in Sunday, posting on X an “apology video.’’
“I just want to say I’m sorry,’’ he said. “I’m sorry we signed all of the best female fights in the world.’’
Uh, no, Paul is not sorry MVP has become the most dominant promoter in women’s boxing. Its roster includes 56 fighters and multiple champions, according to its website and latest signing. Clearly, that affords them power. But, if necessary, Shields can fight Scheurich for the IBF light heavyweight title.
“We always sign top talent,’’ Salita said, noting his company will be promoting a fight Dec. 5 between Stephanie Pinero and Litzy Vasquez for the vacant WBC world super lightweight title.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, MVP promoted a card that featured five women’s world championship fights.
She won't be silenced
Further evidence that MVP thinks it has the upper hand in negotiations: Bidarian and Paul have insisted on a disparagement clause that would result in a $25,000 fine every time Shields disparages MVP.
“Claressa is never going to be silenced by anyone,’’ Salita said.
Last year, when Salita’s contract with Shields expired, Bidarian met with Shields in hopes she would sign with MVP. Paul and Bidarian “almost signed her’’ before Shields agreed to an $8 million, multi-year deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records.
Any visible warmth between Shields and MVP is gone.
After Shields' altercation with Baumgardner in a VIP area at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood Calif. MVP promptly banned Shields from all of its events.
Shields blasted Baumgardner. She also ripped MVP.
Nonetheless, Bidarian has said the ban would not keep MVP from working with Shields on a fight. But no one said those negotiations would be pleasant. Or easy.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Why Claressa Shields' potential blockbuster fight is in jeopardy
