Pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales’ Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old American is one of the sport’s most decorated fighters – a multi-weight undisputed world champion and reigning undisputed heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n
Price, 32, is the unified welterweight champion and, like Shields, is an Olympic gold medallist.<\/p>\n
“When I look at Lauren fight, she’s very explosive. She’s fast. She got a lot of skill. I can’t wait to get in there and showcase my skills against her,” Shields told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
Shields will move down to middleweight to challenge Australia’s WBA and WBC world champion Kaye Scott on 15 August in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n
“I will have this fight and I’d love to fight again at the end of the year at 160lb [middleweight],” she added.<\/p>\n
“I thought it was going to Lauren, but I don’t know when Lauren is getting back in the ring. But I think me and her will fight in 2027, in the first quarter.”<\/p>\n
Shields faced off with Price after the Newport fighter’s points victory over Stephanie Pineiro<\/a> in Cardiff in April.<\/p>\n Price’s promoter Ben Shalom later said a two-fight deal with Shields was agreed,<\/a> but the Briton has not fought since and talk had quietened.<\/p>\n Shields, however, is confident it will happen at middleweight and thinks Price – who would have to jump up two divisions from welterweight – will take a warm-up fight to get her “feet wet” at the new division.<\/p>\n