Boxing champion Claressa Shields has defended her tribute to late wrestler Hulk Hogan, after fans called her out on Instagram.
Hulk Hogan died Thursday at the age of 71. The professional wrestler was an admitted racist and faced backlash after a video, released in 2015 by The National Enquirer, showed the late athlete saying, “I guess we’re all a little racist” and using the n-word while referring to his daughter’s love life.
“I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f–-k some n—-r, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n—-r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player…I guess we’re all a little racist. F–-king n—–r.”
He later apologized for the comments but was immediately fired from the WWE.
Shields posted a picture of her standing beside Hogan holding her championship belts.
“RiP @hulkhogan !!!! I got to meet the legend in Detroit last year! #HulkHogan #legend,” she captioned the post.
Several of her followers called her out for supporting a racist.
“Claressa …. it’s not too late to delete this post. That man didn’t like or respect you. Trust me,” one commented under the post.
Shields responded to the fan, writing, “I met Hulk Hogan and he was kind to me, and did respect me. Now if he liked me…lol who knows. Still RIP to him.”
