Shields Confirms Price Next After Sixth-Round Stoppage

Claressa Shields wants unified welterweight champion Lauren Price next after moving back to middleweight and stopping Kaye Scott in the sixth round Saturday in Atlanta.

Shields told the crowd at State Farm Arena that she wants Price between December and January, according to The Ring. Her promoter Dmitriy Salita confirmed to the outlet Sunday that both camps have agreed on all points for a two-fight deal, with only signatures remaining. Ben Shalom, who promotes Price, told reporters in April that terms were in place.

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What Shields-Price Fight Means For Women's Boxing

The fight would take place in the United States, Salita said, though no specific venue has been determined. Price holds belts at 147 pounds and would move up two weight classes to face Shields at middleweight. "Both sides have agreed to make the fight happen," Salita told The Ring. "It's just a matter of getting it signed. And we're ready to do that."

Shields regained two major middleweight titles she vacated in 2023 with the one-sided win over Scott, an Australian who was largely unknown in the American market. A matchup with Price, an unbeaten Olympic gold medalist from Wales, would generate significantly more interest. Salita called Shields "the biggest star in the U.S. market in gate revenue" and said Price's own fan base would add to the event.

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If the Price fight falls through, Shields named two alternatives in the ring Saturday. She mentioned 154-pound champion Mikaela Mayer, who faces Chantelle Cameron on August 29 with rematch clauses in their contracts, and Tamm Thibeault, who holds the IBF, WBO and Ring middleweight titles. "She's got one belt I know belongs to me and that's the Ring belt," Shields said of Thibeault, who has only five professional fights.

Salita said Shields prioritizes facing the best opponents over business considerations. The 31-year-old from Flint improved to 19-0 with four knockouts against Scott and sold out the Atlanta arena despite her opponent's low profile.

Source: ringmagazine.com