Claressa Shields has said a proposed fight with Lauren Price is now more likely to happen in the first quarter of 2027, rather than this year. The bout would bring together two unbeaten Olympic gold medallists and could be a major contest in women’s boxing, with Shields describing Price as a potentially tougher opponent than Savannah Marshall.

Shields, 31, will first drop to middleweight to challenge Australia’s WBA and WBC champion Kaye Scott in Atlanta on 15 August. Price, 32, is the unified welterweight champion and would need to move up two weight divisions for the planned middleweight contest; promoter Ben Shalom had previously said a two-fight agreement was in place. Shields is undefeated in 18 professional bouts, with three stoppage wins, while Price is unbeaten in 10.