Claressa Shields may have won the fight against Lani Daniels. However, her entrance look, seemingly inspired by Beyoncé, sparked a whole different kind of debate online.
On Saturday, July 26, the boxing champ showed up and showed out for her title defense against Lani Daniels. With her longtime boo Papoose on her arm and a white Rolls-Royce as their chariot, the couple made serious noise before the first punch was even thrown. But it was Claressa’s bold, Queen Bey-inspired outfit that had everyone talking.
Shields strutted into Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena in a hot pink sequined gown that hugged her in all the right places. The dress featured a halter neck with a dramatic chest cut-out and two thigh-high slits. She paired it with matching pink opera gloves, sparkly silver heels, and pink-tinted shades. Her blonde hair was straight, sleek, and parted down the middle, giving full-on superstar energy.
If the look reminded you of something Beyoncé would wear, that’s no coincidence. Claressa took to her Instagram Story to confirm that her outfit was directly inspired by a custom Ivy Park dress Queen Bey once wore, featuring the same bold color, similar silhouette, and even matching gloves.
Papoose kept it New York classic with a printed Versace button-down shirt, icy chains, and a fitted cap.
Social media had opinions. Some loved the audacity of the look, while others thought it fell flat.
“This dress really looks like it came from Wish!!! You should’ve called Tina Knowles to make you a dress, because this is definitely not it.”
“Beyoncé did that. Claressa should’ve chosen a different look—her dress looks like it came from Forever 21 lol.”
“You literally can see the resemblance.”
Ouch.
But Claressa Shields wasn’t going for subtlety. She wanted to make a statement, and mission accomplished.
The fashion drama almost overshadowed the actual fight, where Shields (now 17-0) dominated Lani Daniels in a unanimous decision.
Claressa Shields is a world champion boxer who walks out in gowns, rocks blonde bombshell hair, and reps Detroit hard
