The fallout from Claressa Shields’ renewed claims over an old sparring session continues to ripple through boxing, with fighters increasingly reluctant to share the ring with female professionals.
The controversy resurfaced after Shields revisited allegations surrounding a training session with Latvian boxer Arturs Ahmetovs that took place in 2018.
The incident where Ahmetovs dropped Shields before being accused of glove tampering had largely faded into obscurity until the subject was raised again.
Debate has since erupted across the sport about sparring between male and female fighters. The complications when private gym sessions become public talking points years later are evident.
Ahmetovs, who previously provided his own account of the session to World Boxing News, believes the situation highlights why many male fighters are hesitant to spar women in the first place.
Two Sides to One Story
The story is a complicated one, given it remains one side’s version of events against the other. Ahmetovs has been able to provide some proof to support his account in the form of an image they shared together after the spar, while Shields has maintained that trainer Derik Santos walked away with the gloves shortly after the session.
Despite Shields stating in interviews that she would spar or even fight men, the reality of that happening in today’s climate appears unlikely.
The wider debate over born-male athletes competing in women’s sports has only heightened the sensitivity surrounding such situations.
Ahmetovs Explains His Position
Ahmetovs addressed the subject directly when asked about the fallout.
“Every fighter has the right to confidence,” Ahmetovs exclusively told WBN. “But men’s and women’s boxing are different categories. It’s simply not her field.”
On his potential boxing return after years away and addressing any forthcoming offers to face Shields in an exhibition, Ahmetovs added, “A few years ago I was preparing for fights, but they were canceled. Maybe I’ll do one more under the right conditions.
“But I don’t fight women — even sparring can become complicated. They asked for help, and what happened we already saw.”
Ahmetovs has remained available and transparent throughout the episode, while Shields — although defensive — has never wavered in her position.
Ultimately, it is a sorry situation that an eight-year-old sparring session has resurfaced and become a talking point again, something that likely could have been avoided.
For now, the debate continues to circulate online, with supporters of both fighters presenting their own interpretations of what happened in that gym session years ago.
Shields, meanwhile, has stood firm in her version of events.
Whether the full truth ever emerges is another question entirely. What is clear is that the incident — once little more than a forgotten sparring story — has now become part of a wider conversation about boundaries, expectations, and the realities of men and women sharing the ring.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.