Claressa Shields returns to middleweight to face Kaye Scott in August

Claressa Shields, the undisputed women's heavyweight champion, will move down three divisions to challenge unified middleweight champion Kaye Scott for her WBA and WBC titles on Aug. 15.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields will drop down to middleweight to fight WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott on 15 August at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.

Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields will drop down to middleweight to fight WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott on 15 August at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.

Claressa Shields, the undisputed heavyweight champion in women's boxing, will fight middleweight Kaye Scott in Atlanta on Aug. 15.

Claressa Shields will go back to 160 to take on Kaye Scott in August

Claressa Shields will return to the middleweight division to face unified WBC and WBA titleholder Kaye Scott. The fight will stream live on DAZN on Saturday, August 15, from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The 31-year-old Shields (18-0, 3 KO) last fought as a middleweight in 2023, when she shut out Maricela Cornejo over 10 rounds. Since then, she’s fought as a “heavyweight,” which has been functionally the same as fighting as a light heavyweight in women’s boxing, as Shields has never weighed in over a 175 lb limit. Her 2024 win over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse was for both a heavyweight and light heavyweight title, even. Shields has run into the problem of running out of interesting opposition, which comes from the fact that she is simply drastically better than the talent around her at the weights she can make. Her world title journey as a professional has seen her go from 168 to 160 to 154, then back to 160, then 175, and now back down to 160 as she looks to find suitable opponents from a field that has run thin, at least in terms of people she hasn’t already beaten once or twice. Scott is a 42-year-old Australian with a pro record of 5-1-1 (0 KO). She lost her first bid for a world title in late 2024, when Desley Robinson beat her to win the vacant IBF middleweight title. She then fought Olivia Curry in September 2025 for the vacant WBC and WBA titles, and that fight went to a draw. Scott won a majority decision over Curry in a December rematch, claiming those still-vacant belts. Scott turned pro at the age of 39 in November 2023 following a solid amateur career for Australia. On-paper, she frankly does not present much of a challenge for Shields, but she is truly about as good an option as is available for Claressa, who has enough beef with Most Valuable Promotions — the group that control a large portion of notable women’s boxing at this point — that she’s been banned from their events. “At this point in my career, every fight is about legacy,” Shields said in the press release for this fight. “Every fight now is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — for myself, for women’s boxing, and for the next generation coming behind me. Kaye Scott is a champion, and I respect what she’s accomplished. But becoming undisputed at 160 pounds again starts with beating the best. That’s always been my mindset. I don’t chase easy fights, I choose meaningful ones.” “I’ve dedicated my life to the sport of boxing, achieving success with the Australian National Team and as a professional, ” said Scott. “I’m extremely proud to defend my WBC and WBA world title belts against Claressa Shields. “I believe the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity, and on August 15 I have the chance to show the world exactly what I’m capable of. I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to test myself against the very best. I’m excited, motivated and prepared to step into that ring and prove that I am the best middleweight in the world.” Shields last fought on February 22, beating Franchon Crews-Dezurn by decision in a rematch. The fight in August will be Shields’ first outside of her native Michigan since her 2022 trip to London to defeat longtime rival Savannah Marshall. Busy late summer for women’s boxing Shields vs Scott will come in the middle of what’s set to be a very busy period for championship women’s boxing. MVP will return to Orlando on August 8 for an ESPN show featuring Cherneka Johnson defending the undisputed bantamweight championship against Dina Thorslund. Chantelle Cameron and Mikaela Mayer will meet in a three-belt unification at 147 in Birmingham, England, on August 29, which will also feature a return for lightweight titlist Caroline Dubois. Katie Taylor finally gets her Croke Park show in Dublin, as the iconic champion will face Flora Pili in what is set to be Taylor’s retirement fight on September 5.