Benzinga - by Chris Katje, Benzinga Staff Writer.
Legendary boxing star Claressa Shields has helped pave the way for women athletes over the years including helping to set new records in pay.
What Happened: Shields spoke on her successful boxing career and being an ambassador for the growth of women's sports during the Benzinga Sports Business Titans event.
Shields recalled her early success in boxing as one of the first women to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport during an interview with Benzinga.
"I was also the first woman to fight premium cable on Showtime," Shields said.
Shields revealed that she now makes $1 million a fight, but that wasn't always the case. "I've had to fight for it, equal fight time, equal opportunity, equal pay, equal promotion."
She added that she helped pave the way and is glad other female athletes keep fighting. "Now we've seen soccer take a stand for more pay."
Shields said WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have changed NCAA Women's Basketball.
"I'm so proud of them."
While Reese and Clark could have successful WNBA careers and million dollar endorsements like Clark's new Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) deal, Shields said she's happy they didn't have to go through what she previously went through.
"Without me putting in some of the footwork in women's sports, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark would still be having to put in the work."
Exclusive interview with @Claressashields on how she paved the way for women's sports