On June 9, the BET Awards named Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese the 2025 Sportswoman of the Year.
A rising star in women’s basketball, Reese is in her second year with the Chicago Sky and has already made a name for herself with her dominance on the boards and commanding court presence. Her growing list of accolades includes an NCAA Championship (2023), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2024), WNBA All-Star (2024), SEC Player of the Year (2024), and multiple All-American honors.
Following the announcement, boxing champion Claressa Shields took to social media to express her surprise at not receiving the award.
“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the BET Awards, but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other nominees. I just thought accolades mattered,” Shields tweeted.
The post quickly sparked discussion, with many interpreting it as a slight toward Reese. But Shields soon clarified her intent.
“I’m not joining in on any hate train when it comes to Angel Reese. I have mad respect for her and all the other female athletes that excel in their sport,” she wrote in a follow-up tweet. “As for my earlier comments, I am allowed to express my feelings. I was shocked I didn’t win. I was under the impression the category was graded on accolades of your sport. It’s OK to be a competitor.”
Appearing on today’s episode of Scoop B Radio, Shields elaborated further: “I’m not angry or salty or any of that,” she said candidly. “I was just shocked.”
“I’ve won the Women’s Sports Foundation Award for Sportswoman of the Year three times—more than any other woman. I think Serena Williams won it twice. I went to the ESPYs as the only female boxer to ever win Best Boxer. I have a Nickelodeon award. I mean, I have all these things that I’ve won. So I thought that would mean finally getting some recognition with BET.”
Shields added, “I wasn’t angry. I do feel like it was a nice batch of girls that were nominated, but I still felt that I had more accomplishments as far as my longevity. So that’s all it was about. It wasn’t anything against Angel, and I hate that they’re trying to pit me against her. I’m a fan of Angel Reese. She’s young, she’s hungry, and I see her wanting to get better. Honestly, I don’t know who gets more hate—me or her.”
Shields’ résumé backs up her claims. She is the only boxer in history—male or female—to simultaneously hold all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) across three different weight classes. Currently, she is the undisputed champion in the light middleweight, middleweight, and heavyweight divisions. She also holds the WBC, IBF, and WBO super middleweight titles, in addition to the WBC women’s heavyweight title—solidifying her as one of the most accomplished athletes of all time.
In fact, Shields says she sees herself in Reese.
“Yeah,” she said. “Anything that we do—good, bad—we say something, wear something; they’re all down our throats. Grown men, grown women constantly judging us, trolling us, trying to break our will and make us not be confident. And I think we both experience that. Being Black women, they attack us every single day. When I see her getting it and I go through it myself, I’m clapping for myself and clapping for her, because she just keeps going. I actually hate that it looks like I joined the Angel Reese hate train.”
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undefeated professional boxer, has long been a trailblazer in women’s boxing. Her confidence stems not from arrogance, but from an unmatched track record. And in a world that too often pits women—especially Black women—against each other, Shields is pushing back with a powerful message: confidence is not conflict.
“You can believe you deserve recognition without taking away from someone else’s moment,” she said.
As for the attention Reese receives, good or bad, Shields had one clear message: “Just keep winning,” she said.
“Keep working. Keep getting better. You feel me? That’s my advice to her because when you win, that’s all that matters, for real. And then you really shut everybody up—and that’s what I’ve been doing for years. It’s social media, you know? That’s even advice for myself. They’re never going to go away.”
Shields also revealed she’s taking steps for personal growth.
“I’m getting me a life coach, you know, to help me balance all this stuff because I’ve been trying to do it for so long. Trying to figure this stuff out and not get triggered emotionally and let it throw me off.”
While Shields is currently in the headlines due to the BET Awards conversation, she’ll be making sports headlines for a very different reason next month. The Flint, Michigan native is set to face Lani Daniels at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, where she will defend her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship.
“I get to defend my undefeated championship,” Shields said. “I’m just really excited about it. I think I’m right there in my career to take off and be on that next level—and I’m all about leveling up.”
With 19,000 fans expected in attendance, the event is already shaping up to be a major moment.
“We’re doing great on ticket sales,” she added. “Rick Ross is walking me out, and I’m fighting against this very tough girl from New Zealand up at heavyweight.”
As the conversation surrounding the BET Awards and Angel Reese continues, Claressa Shields is using the moment to highlight a much broader issue—how society often fails to recognize the accomplishments of Black women without creating conflict or comparison. Her response wasn’t about tearing another athlete down, but about affirming her own achievements in a world that sometimes overlooks them. Shields’ grace under pressure and willingness to speak her truth is a testament to her leadership, not only in the boxing ring but across the sports world.
This moment serves as a reminder of how important it is to celebrate women athletes without making it a competition of worth. There is room for both rising stars like Angel Reese and seasoned champions like Claressa Shields to shine. Rather than framing success as a zero-sum game, Shields is calling for a shift toward mutual support and respect. Her message—rooted in experience, resilience, and unshakable self-belief—resonates well beyond the realm of sports.
As she prepares for her next big fight, Shields remains focused on her goals. With an undefeated record, multiple historic titles, and a deep commitment to her growth both inside and outside the ring, her legacy continues to build. Whether through her fists or her voice, Claressa Shields is proving that greatness isn’t just about winning—it’s about how you carry yourself when the world is watching.
Make sure to check out Claressa Shields’ full interview discussing Angel Reese and her upcoming fight on Scoop B Radio here.
