Claressa Shields is making headlines both for what she’s doing in the ring—and what fans think they spotted just beneath her chest during weigh-ins.
On Friday, Shields stepped on the scale ahead of her undisputed heavyweight title defense at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. She came in at a solid 174.6 lbs, while her opponent, New Zealand’s Lani Daniels, weighed 170.4 lbs. But while Shields was laser-focused on business, fans were zeroed in on something else: a possible tattoo that appears to read “Papoose” inked on her rib, just under her chest.
Screenshots from the weigh-in began circulating online almost immediately, with fans applauding Claressa for being unafraid to wear her heart (almost) on her sleeve—literally.
Despite the gossip, Shields remains focused on cementing her legacy. The 30-year-old boxing phenom enters the ring Saturday night with a spotless 16-0 record (3 KOs) and a long list of firsts. She’s a three-division undisputed champion, and this weekend’s bout will mark her second fight of 2025. In February, she defeated Danielle Perkins in her hometown of Flint, Michigan, snagging both the vacant IBF and inaugural WBA heavyweight titles.
Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO), who hails from Pipiwai, New Zealand, is riding an eight-fight win streak and will be fighting outside Oceania for the first time. But the crowd—and the spotlight—will undoubtedly be on Shields.
Tattoo talk aside, Claressa continues to do what she does best: dominate, disrupt, and keep people talking.
Source: YouTube
