Negotiations are still underway to arrange a bout between Claressa Shields and Lauren Price, following the American champion's dramatic recapture of two middle‑weight world titles on Saturday. In a dominant performance, Shields reclaimed both the WBC and WBA belts by stopping Kaye Scott in the sixth round, adding a third middle‑weight world championship to her already impressive résumé. The victory has sparked fresh interest in a potential clash with Price, the unified welterweight champion, and Shields' promoter Dmitriy Salita has been vocal about his desire to lock in the matchup between the two Olympic gold‑medalists.
"We’re working on it as we speak," Salita told Sky Sports, emphasizing that his team has already met the demands put forward by Price’s promotional outfit, BOXXER, and Lauren’s representatives. "Our intention is to make the fight. Based on my understanding, we have agreed to all the requests from Price’s side." Salita explained that he invited both fighters and their camps to sit down together to iron out any remaining issues.
"My relationship with the athletes I promote, especially Claressa, is built on transparency and partnership. I wanted Lauren and Claressa to have a chance to discuss any outstanding points face‑to‑face. Claressa is extremely intelligent and seasoned when it comes to arranging marquee fights, and I have no doubt Lauren is equally sharp." Although the meeting did not result in an immediate agreement, Salita confirmed that talks are ongoing and that the promoter remains committed to making the showdown happen.
"Unfortunately, they weren’t able to make it, but the conversations are ongoing and we want to make the fight," he said. Beyond the potential Price clash, Shields has been linked to several other high‑profile opponents.
One name that has surfaced is WBO and IBF middle‑weight champion Tamm Thibeault, while another possibility is a fight against fellow American Mikaela Mayer, who is slated to face Chantelle Cameron in a unified super‑welterweight title bout in Birmingham on August 29, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Salita noted that Shields is eager to test herself against the best and to participate in events that have a significant cultural impact. "Claressa wants to fight the best and be part of the biggest, most impactful events – that’s always been clear," he said. The promoter added that multiple discussions are in progress as contingency plans, should the Price fight fall through.
"There are a few other conversations taking place in case the Lauren Price fight doesn’t come together. We’ll make a decision soon, but whatever is next, the goal is for it to be another legacy‑making moment for Claressa and for boxing." Shields' recent bout at State Farm Arena in Atlanta drew an enormous crowd and attracted attention from celebrities across sports, music, and pop culture.
Salita highlighted the breadth of the fighter’s appeal, noting that high‑profile figures such as Usher, Floyd Mayweather, Kevin Gates, and Terence Crawford were in attendance, and that the arena buzzed with energy until the final bell. "It was incredible.
We were getting calls and requests from some of the biggest stars in hip‑hop, music, boxing and culture right up until the final bell," he said. "The atmosphere was electric, a special night in a packed arena and a real reflection of Claressa’s star power and how far her reach has grown beyond boxing." The potential Shields‑Price fight carries significant narrative weight. Both athletes are Olympic gold‑medalists—Shields won gold in the women’s middleweight division at the 2012 London Games, while Price captured gold in the welterweight division at the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021). Their meeting would not only pit two of the sport’s most accomplished women against each other but also provide a platform for the continued growth of women’s boxing on a global stage.
A successful negotiation could lead to a historic event that draws mainstream media attention, boosts pay‑per‑view numbers, and inspires a new generation of female fighters. From a business perspective, the fight promises lucrative opportunities. The combined fan bases of Shields, a dominant figure in American boxing, and Price, a celebrated champion from the United Kingdom, could translate into strong ticket sales, international broadcast deals, and robust sponsorship interest. Moreover, the narrative of two Olympic champions facing off adds a compelling storyline that broadcasters love, potentially securing prime‑time placement on major networks or streaming platforms.
Logistically, several factors still need resolution. These include agreeing on the venue—whether to host the bout in the United States, the United Kingdom, or a neutral location—finalizing the purse split, and arranging the broadcast rights. Both promoters have expressed willingness to accommodate each other's requirements, but the final details will hinge on negotiations over revenue sharing, fight‑night logistics, and any contractual clauses related to future mandatory defenses for each champion. If the Shields‑Price fight does not materialize, Salita indicated that alternative match‑ups are already being explored.
A fight against Tamm Thibeault would keep Shields in the middleweight division and could serve as a unification bout, while a clash with Mikaela Mayer would offer a high‑profile showdown between two American stars in adjacent weight classes, potentially drawing a large domestic audience. Regardless of the eventual opponent, Shields’ trajectory suggests she is positioning herself for a series of legacy‑defining bouts.
Her recent victories, combined with her marketability and crossover appeal, have elevated her profile beyond the traditional boxing audience. As she continues to amass titles and seek out elite competition, the sport stands to benefit from the heightened visibility and excitement she brings to each event.
In summary, while the exact details of the Shields‑Price negotiation remain under discussion, the commitment from both promoters to make the fight happen is clear. The outcome of these talks will likely shape the next chapter in women’s boxing, offering fans a potential historic clash between two Olympic champions and providing Shields with another opportunity to cement her status as one of the sport’s all‑time greats.