Claressa Shields targeting Lauren Price bout while Salita eyes deal

Claressa Shields remains in pursuit of a showdown with Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price, though negotiations have yet to produce a signed contract.

Shields promoter Dmitry Salita told Sky Sports that his side believed they had a framework agreement in place for the Price matchup not long ago and intends to move forward on that basis. The two-time Olympic champion made the trip to Cardiff in April for a face-off with Price but left without a deal.

Shields drops to 160 for Price fight

Salita said Shields is willing to drop to middleweight to make the bout happen. "Claressa is moving down to 160lbs because she wants to make this fight happen," he told Sky Sports, per Bad Left Hook. "This is one of the biggest fights that can be made in women's boxing and we're confident it will happen."

Price last competed in April with a wide decision over Stephanie Pineiro Aquino and has no bout scheduled. Shields is set to face Kaye Scott next month while the Price talks continue.

Salita added that Shields has already accomplished enough to cement her legacy but keeps chasing the sport's biggest names. Price holds an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo and remains unbeaten as a professional, making her one of the few opponents who could deliver Shields the marquee fight she wants at middleweight.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Claressa Shields still pursuing negotiations to face Lauren Price