cLaressa Shields was two months away from defending her Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when an email from Hollywood landed in her inbox. Universal Studios wanted to make a film about her life story. For Shields, who had spent much of her career fighting for recognition in a sport that marginalized women while not completely ignoring them, the offer felt like more than just a career milestone. It was a rare mainstream recognition of her achievements and an opportunity to amplify the struggles she endured in and out of the ring to a wider audience.
“I never checked my emails back then,” Shields says, laughing. “But I saw the subject line and it said something about a movie. I thought: ‘A film about my life? OK, let’s see what they’re talking about.’” That email kicked off a series of phone calls and meetings with Oscar-winning screenwriter Barry Jenkins and other industry heavyweights. “We negotiated for a year. I was only 20, so I made sure I had a lawyer,” she recalls. “I didn’t intend to just draw anything. But once the contract was finalized, the ball started rolling.”
That ball has since become a feature film, The Fire Inside, which will premiere in the US on Christmas Day. Helmed by first-time director Rachel Morrison and starring Ryan Destiny, the film chronicles Shields’ rise from an impoverished childhood in Flint, Michigan, to the most decorated female boxer in history. Shields describes the experience of working with Jenkins as crucial in ensuring her story was told authentically. “We had a four-hour conversation about my life,” she says of the first phone call that got her approval. “I told him, ‘Listen, this isn’t a sad story. I’m not here for people to cry and feel sorry for me. I am a winner. I am an overcomer. ”
Like Million Dollar Baby – another female-led boxing drama that broke through awards season exactly two decades ago – The Fire Inside sets itself apart from the standard fare by working within and subverting the conventions of a well-worn genre. The culmination of Shields’ career gives way to a devastating final act that highlights the challenges she faced in gaining recognition and approval. There’s no money at the end of the rainbow, which leads to friction with her old trainer (an excellent Brian Tyree Henry). While Shields isn’t the first Olympian to discover that a gold medal is hardly a ticket to overnight fame and fortune – the first 15 minutes of Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher brilliantly nailed the quiet banality of this comedown – explains Her story makes a nice point on the specific challenges faced by black female athletes who do not fit into corporate-approved notions of femininity.
“I had no idea you had to get approval in a certain way,” says the 29-year-old. “All I cared about was winning the gold medal, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But it was hard to realize that being myself wasn’t enough for some people.”
Hardcore boxing fans have been familiar with Shields’ special backstory for years. At the age of 17, she had already won her first Olympic gold medal. At the age of 22, she was the only American boxer to win a second. But her rise was not without struggle. Shields faced financial hardship, gender discrimination, and the emotional toll of growing up in a tumultuous household, and the film doesn’t shy away from those dark chapters. In one particularly heartbreaking scene, a young Claressa searches her family’s kitchen for food, but finds nothing. Shields admits it was difficult to watch on the big screen. “When I see my younger self going through that, it’s triggering,” she says. “But it’s also a reminder of how far I’ve come.”
One of the film’s most powerful moments revolves around Shields’ decision to speak openly about surviving sexual abuse. Jenkins approached her with sensitivity and asked if she felt comfortable recording this part of her story. “I said, ‘Absolutely,’” Shields says. “I think speaking out about that and helping other women who have gone through this. It’s about showing resilience, not about dwelling in sadness.”
Shields calls Destiny’s portrayal of her transformative and lifelike. Although the 29-year-old actor is best known for lighter projects, including a starring role in the Fox musical drama Star for three seasons, Shields trusted her to capture her essence. “Ryan was training hard,” she says. “She called me and said she was taking protein and her body was changing and she was sore and all this other stuff from training. I told her, ‘Take a warm bath, get a massage and recover .'”
The film doesn’t shy away from the toll Shields’ career has taken on her, both physically and emotionally. Scenes of intense training, grueling battles and moments of self-doubt reveal a fuller, unvarnished picture of the woman behind the gloves. Shields hopes these elements resonate with audiences. “Boxing is tough, but so is life,” she says. “I want people to see that even when you’re knocked down, you can get back up and keep fighting.”
Her complicated relationship with her mother during her teenage years is also not avoided. Shields describes it as tense at the time, but notes that it has improved since then. “Ryan asked me about that part of my life, and I told her the truth: It wasn’t great when I was younger,” Shields says. “But now things are going much better. It is an important part of my story because it shows growth, not only in my career but also in my personal life.”
During an eight-year gestation, during which the project was transferred to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer amid a series of Covid-related delays and casting changes, Shields continued to focus on her professional boxing career, eventually capturing world championships in five different weight classes, from light middleweight to heavyweight. Her journey reflects her unwavering determination – a theme at the heart of the film. “Tough times don’t last forever, but tough people do,” Shields says. “I want people to leave the theater feeling inspired, knowing that it’s okay to be yourself and believe in what you’re doing, no matter how long it takes.”
The fire in Shields – the same drive that propelled her from the streets of Flint to worldwide fame – also lights the way for women’s boxing. She is an outspoken advocate for equal pay and increased visibility, and has seen significant progress since her professional debut in 2016. “Back then, I wasn’t even fighting on TV,” she says. “Now I’m headlining events, making millions of dollars and inspiring the next generation.”
Her upcoming title defense in February against heavyweight contender Danielle Perkins, in the middle of awards season, will mark a triumphant return to her hometown of Flint. “She is tall, strong and skilled,” Shields said of her opponent. ‘But I’m ready. This is my homecoming and I’m going to put on a show.
As for her thoughts on influencer boxing – a topic of much debate in the sport – Shields takes a pragmatic approach. “It’s a net positive,” she says. “People like Jake Paul are putting dollars into women’s boxing and getting more attention for the sport. That’s a victory.” While she acknowledges that the influencer scene creates controversy by prioritizing novice boxers over fighters who have dedicated their entire lives to the sport, she emphasizes the importance of visibility and investment in women’s boxing. “Ultimately, more people will look at us. That’s what matters.”
When reflecting on her journey, Shields sees the struggles depicted on screen as a necessary part of her growth. “Looking back, I’m glad everything happened when it happened,” she says. “I was young and if I had had a million dollars at 17, I wouldn’t have known what to do with it. Now I am more mature and better equipped to handle success.”
For Shields, The Fire Inside isn’t just a boxing movie; it is a universal story about resilience, perseverance and self-confidence. “If I went through all that and didn’t stop, you have no excuse,” she says. “This film is not just my story – it is a message to everyone that you can overcome anything.”
Her hope is that the audience leaves the theater inspired. “I want people to feel encouraged, to know that it’s okay to be themselves,” Shields says. “It may take longer to achieve your dreams, but staying true to yourself is worth it. Don’t let the world force you to change.”
As she looks ahead to her next fight and the film’s release, Shields remains focused on her mission to uplift others. “The Fire Inside is for everyone,” she says. “It’s about igniting the spark within yourself and persevering no matter what.”