Initially, boxer Claressa Shields attempted to detach herself from the film adaptation of her life, *The Fire Inside*, viewing it objectively. She pretended it was about another athlete, someone else overcoming poverty to pursue Olympic glory.
This objectivity lasted only ten minutes. Witnessing her own life story unfold on screen was unavoidable. Shields was particularly impressed by the actress’s portrayal of her mannerisms, both inside and outside the boxing ring. *The Fire Inside* depicts Shields’ journey from a difficult childhood and the challenges faced as a female boxer to becoming America’s first female boxing gold medalist (London 2012), a two-time Olympic champion (Rio 2016), and the current top pound-for-pound professional boxer.
“I was just like, ‘wow, look at where we started, and look at where we are now,’” Shields, 29, reflects. “This is how you turn your pain into power.”
The Fire Inside masterfully portrays two distinct phases of Shields’ life. Instead of ending with her London gold medal, the film explores the often-overlooked challenges following an Olympic victory—the disappointment, despair, and unmet financial expectations many athletes face.
While not initially captivating, *The Fire Inside* resonates deeply. After her London triumph, Shields didn’t fit the typical brand image for sports endorsements. Women’s boxing lacked the current popularity, and her struggles to capitalize on her achievements are poignantly captured.
The story culminates in triumph. Women’s boxing has experienced significant growth. The success of fighters like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor, including their highly-viewed rematch, showcases this evolution. Shields now earns $1 million per fight. “All women are different and it’s OK to be your true self,” she states. “They may have not accepted me then. But they definitely have to accept me now.”
The film depicts a particularly low point Shields experienced: finding herself shopping for diapers late at night, only to see other Olympians featured on cereal boxes. She recounts the hurt of not being included in *Essence* magazine’s 2012 Women of the Year issue with other American gold medalists. “It was very hurtful,” she shares. “It wasn’t anger, it was just a sadness…knowing that my sport is the hardest sport in the world to do, but it’s not respected by everybody else.”
Contrary to the film’s portrayal, Shields didn’t attempt to pawn her gold medal, but she did consider it, and eventually locked it away. “You win a gold medal at the age of 17, and you didn’t get what you deserve,” she explains. She even contemplated throwing it in the Flint River before family intervened.
“I think the pawn shop kind of replaced going to the Flint River,” she explains.
The film also accurately depicts her teenage sparring relationship with her boyfriend, Ardreal Holmes Jr., a fellow boxer. They dated from when she was 16 to 21. Holmes Jr. recently won a fight on December 12th in Flint.
Shields’ next fight is February 2nd, also in Flint, where she’ll compete for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title. “With the movie coming out about my life, people think that I’m retired,” says Shields. “I’m not a retired fighter. I’m still very much active, very much a world champion, very much defending my world titles. So stay tuned.”
Her final, unbiased assessment of *The Fire Inside*?
“A-plus-plus.”