Claressa Shields, the undisputed three-division champion, got her boxing license back after a brief suspension for a positive marijuana test. The self-proclaimed "Greatest Woman of All Time" failed a saliva test after her fight on February 3 in Michigan.
Shields beat Danielle Perkins that night, unifying four heavyweight crowns. But her victory celebration didn't last long. The champ soon found herself in hot water when traces of marijuana showed up in her post-fight sample.
At first, Michigan boxing officials put Shields' license on hold. She claimed the amounts found were just leftovers, maybe from being around someone who smoked. On March 6, Shields presented evidence to back up her story. She pointed out that she'd passed voluntary tests before the fight. The officials agreed and lifted the suspension.
"I'm officially no longer suspended," Shields announced. "How quiet now! They spoke very loudly to say that I 'supposedly' smoked marijuana and suspended me!"
The World Anti-Doping Agency still bans marijuana use during competition. Shields might face a fine, and there's a chance her big win could be changed to a no-contest. That'd erase her heavyweight achievement.
This case brings back memories of US sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson. She missed the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after getting suspended for marijuana. The UFC parted ways with WADA, possibly because of this rule.
Shields didn't stop at defending herself. She aired out some bigger issues:
"I've worked my butt off to get to where I am. There's too much racism in the US, too much sexism. People talk about equality, but it's not real. Some folks just want to bring me down."
The champ even threatened to leave the country. She talked about starting a boxing program in Africa and opening a school for kids who don't have much.
For now, Shields can get back in the ring. But this close call shows how tricky drug rules can be in sports, even for the "GWOAT."
