MVP Bans Claressa Shields After Alycia Baumgardner Incident

“Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice.

“There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable. MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation, and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation.”

MVP posted the statement on social media after reports surfaced that Shields and Baumgardner exchanged words before the situation became physical.

The rivalry between the two undisputed champions has been building online for months, with both repeatedly taking shots at each other across social media and interviews. The tension finally spilled into a face-to-face confrontation at the event.

Shields later suggested that Baumgardner’s behavior and comments provoked the incident, while Baumgardner denied doing anything to trigger the altercation.

Baumgardner also suggested she intends to pursue the matter further.

“Things escalated without any provocation,” Baumgardner said while adding that she plans to handle the situation “professionally and legally going forward.”

The public fallout deepens the rivalry between two of the biggest names in women’s boxing, especially with MVP now taking a clear public stance against Shields.