Claressa Shields got roasted for her Papoose love song—and her response is brilliant

Claressa Shields is responding to online criticism in her own way after her Papoose-inspired love song sparked a wave of reactions across social media.

The undefeated boxing champion recently shared a visual for the track, which she released as part of her birthday celebration and as a public expression of her relationship with the Brooklyn rapper. The video quickly circulated online, drawing a mix of responses—from jokes to questions about her personal life. Rather than engage directly with the criticism, Claressa Shields posted a selfie alongside a message that read, “Stay soft, stay pure, stay sweet. Never let ugly, make you ugly.”

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The response marked a shift in tone from the back-and-forth that often follows viral moments, with Shields choosing to address the situation broadly rather than respond to individual comments. The song itself continues a series of public gestures she has made in recent weeks, all centered on her relationship with Papoose.

Stay soft, stay pure, stay sweet. Never let ugly, make you ugly. pic.twitter.com/n8xucRf4Ze

Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undefeated professional boxer, has remained active both inside and outside the ring. While preparing for upcoming fights, she has also been more open about her personal life, frequently sharing moments involving Papoose. Earlier this month, she posted a birthday message for him, writing, “My man deserve everything. I wish for his bday I could surprise him with a baby,” signaling her long-term intentions.

Her comments about starting a family are consistent with what she has previously said in interviews. During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Claressa Shields explained that she does not want to wait until the end of her career to have children. “I don’t want to wait till I’m, you know, 40, 43, whatever, after my career, to have my kids,” she said. “I want to be able to run at the park with my kids and stuff like that. I don't want to be too old.”

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The recent reactions to her music also come after other viral moments involving Shields, including social media exchanges and online parodies referencing her relationship. Those moments have kept her name circulating beyond boxing, placing her at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and internet culture.