Claressa Shields on BET Award Loss to Angel Reese: “I Thought the One with the Most Accomplishments Would Win”

As evidenced by her recent social media battle with rapper Remy Ma, boxer Claressa Shields doesn’t mind putting up her dukes in or outside the ring.

Yet, her most recent demonstration of outspokenness may have landed her in hot water with the critics for being a “sore loser.”

As reported here, Shields was set to face off at the 2025 BET Awards for Sportswoman of the Year against fellow athletes A’ja Wilson, Coco Gauff, Dawn Staley, JuJu Watkins, Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles, and Flau’jae Johnson.

By the close of the show’s June 9 ceremony, she learned she’d lost the category to Angel Reese.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) the next day, Claressa didn’t exactly clap for the WNBA star.

“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the @BETAwards but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other Nominees,” she posted with a shrug emoji before sharing, “I just thought accolades mattered.”

The BET Award win comes as a second consecutive victory for Reese.

Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, suggested she was more deserving of the honor but – after being slammed by commenters for a perceived lack of showmanship – she hit back by asserting her support of the basketballer.

“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,” Shields shared ahead of relaying, “I’m team Angel Reese!”

At writing, Angel has not responded to the hoopla.

Click here to see the full list of 2025 BET Award winners.