Claressa Shields recently hinted that a bout with Mikaela Mayer could feature in her future agenda, especially if her long‑term ambition of hanging up the gloves with an unblemished record remains intact. The American multi‑division champion has already been negotiating a potential middleweight showdown with fellow Olympic gold‑medalist Lauren Price of Great Britain. However, should the Price matchup fail to materialise, Shields indicated she would gladly pivot her focus toward Mayer, who is currently preparing for a super‑welterweight title unification bout against Chantelle Cameron this Saturday on Sky Sports. "Anything can happen," Shields told Sky Sports, emphasizing her willingness to adapt her plans.
"I dropped down in weight specifically to face Kaye Scott, and my next dream fight would be against an Olympic champion – either Lauren Price or someone of her calibre." She added that if the Price fight cannot be arranged, she would be eager to step into the ring with Mayer. "Mikaela moved up from a lighter division and is now fighting at 154 pounds, but I still believe my skill set gives me the edge," Shields continued.
"I’m quicker, and while we share similar experience levels, I have the advantage of having competed in two Olympic gold‑medal bouts, something she has yet to achieve." The conversation around future match‑ups comes at a time when the boxing calendar is packed with high‑profile events. Fans can look forward to the 2026 boxing schedule, which promises several marquee fights across various weight classes. Platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free streaming options for those who want to catch the action, and the Toe2Toe podcast provides weekly analysis for enthusiasts who crave deeper insight into the sport.
Shields, who recently secured her third middleweight world title by stopping Kaye Scott in a dominant performance, marked her 19th consecutive professional victory without a single loss. The bout was attended by boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, who retired after a flawless 50‑win career.
Shields expressed admiration for Mayweather’s perfect record and voiced her own desire to emulate that level of achievement. "The arena was sold out, and the atmosphere was electric," Shields recalled.
"I delivered a performance I’m proud of, and it feels like the culmination of years of hard work. My ultimate goal is to retire undefeated. I may never reach fifty fights, but hitting thirty would be a remarkable milestone for me." Mayer, on the other hand, remains laser‑focused on her upcoming fight with Cameron. Nevertheless, she openly acknowledges that both Shields and Price are on her wish list for future contests.
"I would love to fight Lauren Price," Mayer told Sky Sports. "Claressa and I have discussed the possibility of meeting at 160 pounds, and that’s something I’d be excited to pursue.
In an ideal scenario, I’d line up fights with all three—Price, Shields, and Cameron—back‑to‑back and then retire on a high note." The prospect of a Shields‑Mayer clash intrigues fans because it would bring together two of the sport’s most accomplished women boxers, each with Olympic pedigree and multiple professional titles. Both athletes have demonstrated a relentless work ethic and a willingness to move between weight classes to seek the best competition. Shields’ confidence in her speed and experience contrasts with Mayer’s ambition to test herself against the very best, regardless of the challenges.
Beyond the immediate fight talks, the broader context of women’s boxing continues to evolve. Increased visibility on major networks, more lucrative sponsorship deals, and the rise of streaming services have all contributed to a surge in popularity. Young athletes now have clearer pathways to professional success, inspired by role models like Shields, who broke barriers by becoming the first American boxer to win gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. Looking ahead, the upcoming Saturday night card on Sky Sports will feature not only the Cameron‑Mayer unification bout but also a performance by rising star Caroline Dubois.
The event promises to showcase the depth of talent in the women’s divisions and set the stage for future match‑ups, including the potential Shields‑Mayer encounter. In summary, Claressa Shields remains open to a fight with Mikaela Mayer if her desired showdown with Lauren Price does not come to fruition. Both fighters have expressed mutual respect and a willingness to compete at higher weights, underscoring the dynamic nature of modern women’s boxing.
As the sport continues to grow, fans can anticipate more high‑stakes battles, expanded media coverage, and the ongoing pursuit of perfect records by elite athletes like Shields, who aim to retire without a single defeat on their record.