Claressa Shields announces opponent before potential Lauren Price fight

Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields will drop down to middleweight to fight WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott on 15 August at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.

Multi-weight undisputed champion Shields, 31, is the most decorated woman in boxing history and will become the first female to headline at the 16,888-capacity State Farm Arena.

Australia’s Scott, a highly decorated amateur, will defend both middleweight world titles that she won over Olivia Curry in December.

“At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy,” said former middleweight world champion Shields.

“Every fight now is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – for myself, for women’s boxing, and for the next generation coming behind me through Claressa Shields Promotions.

“Kaye Scott is a champion, and I respect what she’s accomplished. But becoming undisputed at 160 pounds again starts with beating the best. That’s always been my mindset. I don’t chase easy fights, I choose meaningful ones.”

In April, it was announced fellow Olympic champion Lauren Price, who was born in Newport, signed a two-fight deal to face Shields.

Prior to that announcement, the 31-year-old defeated Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff, where she and Shields exchanged words post fight.

Shields said “they could fight at the end of the year” after her then unnamed bout this summer.

The American described her next fight against 42-year-old Scott as not just “a championship fight” but an event to continue growing women’s boxing.

“Atlanta represents a huge opportunity. We’ve shown what women’s boxing can do in Detroit,” she added.

“We’ve sold out arenas and created moments people remember. Now it’s time to bring that same energy to Atlanta.”

Asked when the Price and Shields could face off, Shalom told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: “Once in the US, and then hopefully once where we can come to either Cardiff City Stadium or (Cardiff) castle and do that in June next year.”