Claressa Shields has been having a tough time following her boxing suspension for testing positive for marijuana.
The 29-year-old appeared on Tamron Hall to explain how her oral mouth swab could have come back positive after her match in Michigan.
“One, the place reeked of marijuana,” Shields explained, describing the venue where the boxing match occurred. “Before I got to do the mouth swab, everybody was hugging and kissing me in Flint. … I know some boxers don’t stop and greet the fans but I’m not one of them. I hugged and kissed everybody back.”
Following her suspension, Shields posted her urine test results, which were negative.
“I’ve always competed clean, and I stand by that,” Shields captioned the test results. “I take my integrity seriously inside and outside the ring.”
Hall explained that a urine test is the most reliable way to detect marijuana and that a person can have a false positive oral swab from inhaling second-hand smoke.
Following Shields’ suspension, the Michigan Commission issued a statement: "Ms. Shields' conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an immediate threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and the welfare and safety of professional athletes."
Shields reacted to the statement on Hall’s show.
“When I read that, that’s what kind of hurt my feelings a little bit because I know that I don’t do anything wrong when it comes to boxing, and being a Black woman in the sport already, I have to work 10 times harder to even get equal pay, to even get put on TV, to get respect," she said.
“I don’t even get to prove my innocence, I’m just already guilty,” she continued. “Everybody’s posting this stuff, saying that I’m a danger to the sport, I’m suspended, I smoke marijuana.”
She then thanked her support system, adding, “I’m not suspended from boxing, I’m suspended [from fighting] in Michigan.”
Last week, Shields made headlines after testing positive for marijuana following her win against Danielle Perkins in Michigan on Feb. 2. The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission subsequently suspended her.
Shields is the only boxer who’s won every single major world title in three weight classes and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
