Shields or Taylor the greatest? “We’re 1A and 1B!”

Claressa Shields has hailed the greatness of Katie Taylor and says she holds no qualms over a fight between the boxing greats never materialising. 

Taylor enters her farewell bout this weekend when she takes on Flora Pili in an undisputed super-lightweight world title clash at Dublin’s Croke Park in front of more than 80,000 fans.

The Irish icon, a two-weight undisputed world champion and Olympic gold medallist, will hang up her gloves widely-recognised as the greatest fighter in female boxing history.

Five-weight world champion Shields has arguably become the closest rival to Taylor’s reputation at the pinnacle of the sport.

“Am I number one? I have always shared that with Katie,” Shields told Sky Sports. “Me and her joke and say we’re 1A and 1B, because we’re both just that good.

“I’m not a person that really cares about the pound for pound list. I know that I’ve been number one or two on there for the past five, six years.

“But I know that Katie, she’s a great fighter. She’s a warrior. And I wish her a happy retirement. And I hope that she gets a big knock out her last fight.”

Shields, a three-time undisputed world champion, has fought at heavier weight-classes than Taylor, hence the pair never crossing paths in their respective glittering careers.

“I’m not mad that it didn’t happen,” said Shields. “We had weight classes for a reason. And I respect her greatness and she respects mine.

“I beat the best in my divisions, and she’s beat the best in her divisions. I respect that. So no, I’m not upset that we never got to fight.

“I am happy to be able to watch her and her greatness. She’s done the same for me. And like I said, I wish her a happy retirement.”

Taylor enters Saturday’s contest 25-1 having suffered her only professional career defeat against Chantelle Cameron in May 2023.

Among her highlights is a trilogy of wins over Puerto Rican great Amanda Serrano, the first of which saw the pair compete in the first ever women’s boxing match to headline at Madison Square Garden.

“I think Katie’s done what she wanted to do. I think this is her time,” Serrano told Sky Sports.

“You can feel it, I’ve been 17 years in the sport. It’s about time.

“Me and Katie, we’ve made lots of money together, we made history together and big fights. I think she’s done enough for the sport. She deserves this homecoming fight.

“I’m happy for her. I just can’t wait to see her future when she’s retired with her family life and all that good stuff. She deserves it.”