MVP bans women's boxing champion after physical altercation at 'Rousey vs. Carano'

Claressa Shields was banned from all Most Valuable Promotions events until further notice. Shields attended MVP’s first MMA event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and confronted fellow boxer Alycia Baumgardner backstage, then slapped her. Shields did not express regret and accused Baumgardner of disrespecting her. Baumgardner said she showed restraint as a professional and accused Shields of repeated hostility toward fellow women and of instigating fights. Baumgardner described the incident as unprovoked and said it followed a pattern involving celebrating other fighters’ brain injuries and initiating one-sided altercations at press conferences. She stated the matter would be handled legally and professionally and said her focus remains on representing boxing with class, integrity, and respect.

"Claressa Shields is banned from all Most Valuable Promotions events until further notice. Shields was in attendance at MVP's first MMA event last Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. The three-division women's boxing world champion confronted fellow boxer Alycia Baumgardner backstage and slapped her."

"Shields didn't show any regret and accused Baumgardner of disrespecting her. Meanwhile, Baumgardner said that she showed restraint as a professional. "The Bomb" also accused Shields of displaying repeated hostility against fellow women and instigating fights."

""The situation that occurred on Saturday was unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved. While attending Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural MMA event as a guest, I was physically assaulted without provocation. This behavior follows a continued pattern from someone who has publicly celebrated other fighters' brain injuries, initiated one-sided altercations at press conferences, and consistently displayed hostility toward other women. That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport.""

""This behavior reflects a repeated pattern of hostility, chaos, and attention-seeking conduct that continues to embarrass women's sports. This situation has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally. My focus remains far beyond individuals who lack discipline, professionalism, and self-control - inside or outside the ring. I have spent my career representing myself, my family, and the sport of boxing with class, integrity, and respect. I will continue to do so.""

Read at Sherdog