Two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields didn’t hold back her disappointment after losing the 2025 BET Sportswoman of the Year award to college basketball star Angel Reese — and her reaction quickly sparked debate across social media.
“I Thought Accolades Mattered” — Shields Expresses Disbelief
Shortly after the June 9 awards show, Shields took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice her frustration:
“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the BET Awards, but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other nominees. I just thought accolades mattered.”
The tweet, while congratulatory, was met with mixed reactions — with many fans accusing the decorated boxer of coming off as a sore loser.
Backlash Follows — Fans Urge Her to “Delete the Tweet”
Some users responded critically:
“Girl, don’t get on here complaining. You’re talented, don’t let that get overshadowed because you appear to come off as a sore loser. Just delete the tweet, say congratulations and keep it moving,” wrote one commenter.
Shields Clarifies: “I’m Team Angel Reese”
Shields quickly responded, insisting her issue wasn’t with Reese:
“Ain’t nobody saying Angel Reese don’t have accolades or she not good…. I’m saying I thought the person with ‘THE MOST’ accolades & accomplishments would win the Award. I’m team Angel Reese!”
In a follow-up tweet, she added:
“I’m not joining in on any hate train when it comes to Angel Reese. I have mad respect for her and all the other female athletes that excel in their sport.”
She further clarified that she was simply “shocked” by the result and believed the category was judged primarily on sporting accomplishments:
“As for my earlier comments, I am allowed to express my feelings. I was shocked I didn’t win. I was under the impression the category was graded on accolades in your sport. It’s okay to be a competitor.”
Shields’ Legacy vs. Reese’s Rise
While Claressa Shields has long been considered one of the most accomplished female boxers in history — boasting multiple world titles across three weight classes — Angel Reese has become a pop culture icon in women’s college basketball, winning a national championship with LSU in 2023 and continuing to dominate both on the court and in media.
Reese’s mainstream appeal, viral moments, and cultural impact may have given her the edge in a fan-voted awards show like the BET Awards.
Final Thoughts
Though her initial comment stirred controversy, Claressa Shields has since reaffirmed her support for Angel Reese and the wider community of female athletes.
Her tweets underline a deeper conversation in sports: should popularity outweigh performance when it comes to awards? Or should accolades in the ring, court, or field be the main criteria?
