Three-weight world champion Claressa Shields has called former boxer Laila Ali 'not relevant' in the sport today as appetite for a clash between the two grows.

Ali, who is now 42, having retired undefeated in 2007, initially sparked the feud with the two-time Olympic champion after stating she could beat Shields if she came back into the ring.

A back and forth ensued between the pair, but now Shields has reignited the war of words by calling her out once more on Twitter.

Shields said: "Lol I’ll do whatever to get a fight made with me and Laila Ali. She is the one asking for 5, million and also wants to be the A-side if we fight knowing damn well she is not relevant in today’s time! I’m the current reigning world champion. So if she really wanted to fight, be Fair! 

"Stop asking for insane split. It’s ridiculous. Also come out of retirement. Make an official announcement and say you are not retired. No one believes the talk coming from her. I’m fighting and taking all challenges! Not hard to make a fight with me."

A fan then jumped in to ask Shields whether or not she believed Ali was genuine in wanting to fight her.

The undisputed middleweight champion responded: "Honestly no I don’t. When I hear a official I’m out of retirement talk then I’ll believe it. Also when her team starts talking 'REAL NUMBERS' and splits. Not saying that me and her can’t generate 15million or 5 million. Just saying that it hasn’t been proven in our sport yet.

"And just to be clear the air. A lot of Laila Ali fans have told me to stay in my place. Message to them, my place is a reigning World champion! Captured 9 world titles including 3 different weight classes. My place is at the top in women’s boxing. Champions answer all challenges!"

Shields is scheduled to fight Canadian Marie Eve Dicaire on May 9 in a homecoming bout in her home city of Flint, Michigan.

But the contest could well be re-scheduled as the spread of coronavirus continues to move rapidly through the US, with all boxing already having been cancelled in April.