Shields Has Five Options After Middleweight Title Win

Claressa Shields has options after her sixth-round stoppage of Kaye Scott on Saturday night in Atlanta, where she captured the WBA and WBC middleweight titles. The 31-year-old American has already been undisputed in multiple divisions and cleaned out opponents from junior middleweight to heavyweight, which means the next fight needs to carry real stakes.

As Ring Magazine columnist Rick Reeno writes, the most promising matchup appears to be undefeated Welsh Olympic champion Lauren Price. The two have already met face-to-face to build the bout, and Price would move up from welterweight to challenge Shields at 160. That fight is reportedly being discussed for early 2027, leaving room for Shields to take an interim opponent first.

Thibeault Holds The Key To Undisputed Status

If Shields wants to become undisputed middleweight champion again, Tammara Thibeault is the logical target. The undefeated Canadian holds the Ring, IBF, and WBO titles, which means five belts would be on the line in a unification. Thibeault is a big southpaw with an extensive amateur background and, at 29, should be entering her prime. The commercial appeal might not match Price or a Savannah Marshall rematch, but from a pure boxing standpoint it makes the most sense.

Marshall remains attached to Shields' career as the only fighter to beat her, a loss that came in the amateurs. Shields settled the professional score in 2022 with a unanimous decision victory to unify the middleweight division. A second meeting would carry more personal history than almost anything else available, though Shields would need a compelling reason to revisit an opponent she already beat decisively.

Shields could also return to heavyweight, where she is still the undisputed champion. The problem with that division is she has already beaten the top contenders, including Danielle Perkins and Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. A return to the heaviest division only makes sense if a new credible challenger emerges or a sanctioning body forces a mandatory. Mikaela Mayer remains a wild card option, though the size difference is significant. Mayer must first defeat Chantelle Cameron on August 29 with Ring, WBC, and WBO junior middleweight titles at stake before that becomes realistic.

Source: ringmagazine.com