Has it changed your perspective on anything or made you appreciate anything differently?
CLARESSA SHIELDS: I appreciate everything.
I have taken a look at it, and this is so surreal to me.
I have a boxing match in two months, on February 2nd, where Ill be defending more titles.
Its very insane to me.
Written by Barry Jenkins, ‘The Fire Inside’ is a boxing film that shines outside the ring.
Image via PBS
How were you made aware of a movie about you?
Youre an executive producer on this, which means you were able to voice your own thoughts and opinions.
Me and him met and talked in person for four or five hours.
The other part of being an executive producer, for me, was when I okayed the movie.
Whats my life story to you?
And then, he told me.
I said, That was okay, but you missed a few things.
I wanted it all in there.
SHIELDS: It was two different things.
Reading it, I could put my own pictures and stuff in there.
And then, seeing the movie was completely different.
I dont know how they made the script match up to the movie, but thats what they did.
Image via PBS
Thats why I let everybody do their job.
It was definitely two different feelings.
Can you sit back and enjoy it?
The Fire Inside chronicles the journey of boxer Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields from Flint, Michigan, as she trains and becomes the first American woman to achieve an Olympic gold medal in boxing, highlighting her determination and athletic achievements.
Was there a moment you felt like they really got who you were?
SHIELDS: The first time I watched the movie, I watched it as another sports movie.
I tried to take myself out of it, not put myself in it.
When a movie is really good, it sucks you into it.
I was like, Oh, my God, this girl is phenomenal.
But her mannerisms, her boxing, how she is, everything, was just great.
I was just so happy with her performance, and also with Brian Tyree [Henry]s performance.
It was so great to see.
What did you enjoy about watching that dynamic of them together?
SHIELDS: It embodies the relationship that me and Jason did have.
He gave all his wisdom to me.
Now, Im a 29-year-old woman who has the wisdom of a 60-year-old.
It would just be even that much more difficult.
What do you think still needs to change in the world of female boxing right now?
I think womens boxing is gonna take off.
To me, it already has taken off, but its gonna take off more.
Claressa Shields Embraces Being the Best Female Boxer in the World
Youve accomplished so much already.
You fought for equal pay for all Olympic female boxers.
Have you always believed in yourself, or is that something that youve had to learn to embrace more?
SHIELDS: I always felt that I was a good boxer, at the beginning.
From 11 to 14 or 15, I knew I was a pretty good boxer.
Youre better than all them girls.
They cant beat you.
I was like, All right, coach.
Youre just saying that.
And he was like, No, I mean it.
When I was 15, I woke up and was just like, Im the greatest.
Thats when I started to embrace it.
It wasnt always there.
I knew I could fight.
I knew I had an undefeated record.
But at the age of 16, I embraced it.
I finished amateur boxing with 78 wins and one loss.
Now, Im professional, 15 and 0.
Ive got 15 world titles.
My hard work made me feel even greater.
When Im working hard, I definitely feel like Im the greatest, ever.
The Fire Insideis now playing in theaters.
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