Celebrity Interviews

Claressa Shields: Boxing Champion Takes On The Titan Games


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Undisputed boxing champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields joins host Neil Haley to discuss her thrilling appearance on NBC's "The Titan Games" hosted by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Shields, who was named one of Sports Illustrated's 50 fittest athletes in 2020, explains her remarkable boxing credentials: three-division world champion, undisputed nine-time world champion, all within just ten fights, plus two Olympic gold medals earned since age 17. She emphasizes that while she's been dominant in boxing since her teenage years, stepping onto "The Titan Games" obstacle course pushed her completely outside her comfort zone and tested her in ways that punching and defense never have.

Shields reveals the fascinating dynamic of the show, where professional athletes like herself competed against highly accomplished everyday people—doctors who work out intensely, nurses who are also former Olympians, and other exceptional individuals who may not be household names but possess incredible athletic abilities. She shares humorous behind-the-scenes stories about the professional athletes banding together as a team, creating makeshift training equipment out of wood and water bottles to practice their form before competing. Shields also opens up about her training philosophy, surprising many by revealing she doesn't lift heavy weights and instead focuses on cardio, running six to eight miles regularly, and maintaining balance and hand speed for boxing. She discusses the emotional experience of being challenged by obstacles rather than opponents, and emphasizes one cardinal rule: you don't say no to The Rock. Shields encourages fans to follow her journey on social media at @claressashields and tune in to see how she and fellow professional athletes like Victor Cruz, Tyron Woodley, Joe Thomas, Hannah Teter, and Jesse Graff handle the intense Titan challenges when the show airs May 25th on NBC.

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Celebrity InterviewsBy Neil Haley

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