As a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the current undisputed female heavyweight champion, Flint, Michigan’s five-weight, 18-time beltholder Claressa Shields has little left to prove in boxing.
So, why is 31-year-old Shields, 18-0 (3 KOs), dropping down three weight classes to challenge Australia’s unified WBC and WBA world middleweight champion Kaye Scott, 5-1-1, live on DAZN (8:30 pm ET) this Saturday, August 15, at the nearly sold-out State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia?
“What motivates me is to just keep making history,” revealed Shields.
Speaking at the final press conference for the fight this weekend, Shields says the key for her is to continuing building her already history-making legacy.
“To be the first woman to headline here at State Farm Arena in Atlanta is insane… That’s what motivates me is to keep breaking barriers and keep making it possible for the girls that come after me. Like, we got Caroline Dubois who’s coming up, she’s younger. Tamm Thibeault, who just won some belts, she’s younger. These girls will be able to headline at stadiums one day and be able to do something they said we couldn’t do. That’s what motivates me right now.”
Taller, longer and impressively covered in muscles, “Glamour” Scott, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, has had just seven pro fights, but the 42-year-old had an extensive amateur career spanning over 120 international bouts, and winning multiple world championship and Commonwealth Games medals across three weight divisions.
Scott has held the unified WBC and WBA female middleweight titles since a December 2025 majority decision rematch victory over Canada’s Olivia Curry.
“All I can do is control the controllables,” said Scott on her chances of defeating superstar Shields. “My sparring’s been on point, my conditioning’s been on point, my diet’s been on point, and my mindset is on point. So, this opportunity has arisen and I’m just taking it with full force… I think I can create history and go out there and make it a really challenging fight and bring those belts back home to Australia.”
With a reportedly near sold-out and likely hostile crowd against her, Shields’ celebrity associates turning up in droves to support her and one of the greatest female fighters in history standing in the corner opposite hers when the bell rings, Scott says her long amateur career will prevent her being affected by the pressure of such a huge platform.
“I think it’s helped,” said Scott, “because although this will be the biggest stage I’ve fought on, in the amateurs, you go to the world championships and the Commonwealth Games and you go through all the nerves… So, I am very much used to having to talk to media and do this kind of stuff. I feel like I am probably in a better position than some of her other opponents. It’s not new to me. I’ve been around a lot of international high-level boxing.”
While Scott says she thinks Shields may be underestimating her, Shields, who could be the first boxer in history to drop from heavyweight to middleweight and win a world title, was quick to set the record straight.
“I’m not I’m not underestimating you at all,” said Shields. “I think you’re underestimating me, thinking that I haven’t been in the gym, training three or four times a day. Usually, I’ll do a six-week camp. I did 12 weeks for you and not because of the weight. I made weight last week… I know you were in the amateurs. I know you are more experienced and that the majority (of high-level amateur females) make better boxers in the pros, so, I don’t take your record of being 5-1-1 as a joke. I sparred so many rounds, and we watched so much film. I didn’t underestimate you.
“But I want you to understand that when God gives me an opportunity to perform on a big stage in Atlanta, it’s really nothing against you. I just have to perform at a very high level to destroy you… I am not gonna predict the round, but I know there’s going to be a moment in the ring where she’s gonna say, ‘I am not supposed to be here.’”
With the show reportedly aiming to bridge the parallels between hip-hop and boxing, several fighters will make their ring entrances accompanied by some of today’s most popular music artists including, Latto, YG, Sauce Walka and Diamond The Body (DTB). The Zeus Network coverage of the event will feature a mix of professional boxing and celebrity influencer bouts beginning at 4 pm ET.
