The undisputed champion’s new boxing competition series has an application process open to far more than pros — here’s what it actually takes to get in the ring.

Claressa Shields wants every woman who thinks she can take her down to prove it — and now there’s a formal path to try.

The undisputed champion recently confirmed a new partnership with The Zeus Network for a competition series called GWOATS, and she’s made clear the door is open wider than many assumed. Early speculation suggested the show would be limited to professional fighters, but Shields shut that idea down during a livestream, saying any woman who believes she has what it takes — trained boxer or not — belongs in the conversation. The announcement quickly stirred debate online, with plenty of fans wondering whether a mixed field of amateurs and veterans could actually work inside a competitive format.

The Call Goes Out

Rather than restricting the field to licensed athletes, Shields extended the invitation to amateurs and even women with backgrounds in unsanctioned street fighting. Her message was blunt: talent doesn’t have to come with a professional record attached, and GWOATS is designed to find it wherever it exists. She’s framed the approach as less about pedigree and more about proving grit under pressure, regardless of where a woman first learned to throw a punch.

Yes sign up https://t.co/6wsRLiGvVn https://t.co/P0TzRPefF5

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) September 2, 2026

Who Can Apply for GWOATS

Applications for the series are already live through Zeus Network’s official casting portal. The form doesn’t require a professional boxing license to submit; instead, it asks candidates directly whether they’ve competed professionally, with a simple yes-or-no option built into the questionnaire. That single detail signals just how far Shields wants to cast her net for this project, and it leaves the door open for a far more unpredictable lineup than a traditional boxing show would typically feature.

What the Application Requires

Hopefuls looking to join the cast need to submit a standard set of personal and professional details, including:

• First and last name
• Email address and phone number
• Instagram handle and stage name
• Age and current profession
• Professional boxing status
• Career wins and losses, if applicable
• A valid, government-issued ID
• A recent selfie or headshot

Beyond the basic intake form, applicants must also agree to an appearance release along with a confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement before moving forward. Those documents reference the project under several working titles, including GWOATS Auditions and the GWOATS Series, suggesting the branding may still evolve before the show’s eventual launch.

Ground Rules for Hopefuls

Zeus has laid out a clear code of conduct for anyone hoping to be cast. Physical altercations, weapons, drugs and illegal substances are strictly forbidden on-site, and only registered applicants — no outside guests — will be permitted at auditions. Everyone involved, from judges to security staff to fellow contestants, is expected to be treated with respect, and each hopeful gets just one shot to audition, a rule that adds an extra layer of pressure before anyone even steps in front of a camera.

A Bigger Mission Than the Ring

For Shields, the project reaches beyond simply stacking a competitive roster. She’s framed GWOATS as a potential on-ramp into boxing for women who might never have considered the sport an option, particularly those who came up in circumstances resembling her own difficult upbringing. Boxing gave her a sense of belonging she hadn’t found elsewhere, and she’s hopeful the series can hand that same opportunity to someone else searching for direction, especially women who feel like the sport wasn’t built with them in mind.

She’s also betting the show can shine a much brighter spotlight on women’s boxing overall. Landing the series on a platform like Zeus, she believes, could pull in an audience far larger than the sport typically reaches — exposure that might convince more women to seriously consider turning pro rather than staying on the amateur circuit indefinitely.

In Shields‘ vision, GWOATS isn’t just a showcase for people who already know they can fight. It’s a door left open for anyone who’s ever wondered if they belonged in the ring — and a possible launchpad for boxing’s next breakout star, discovered somewhere far outside the usual gym scene.

Source: Athlon Sports